What is SSH? SSH stand for "Secure Shell", it is a file transfer program that allows you to move files securely over a network connection. In the past, Penn State allowed users to use standard FTP programs (such as WS_FTP). Due to possible security risks, Penn State discontinued support for these standard FTP programs, and requires all users to use the SSH: Secure Shell program to transfer their files over the network.

Why would I use SSH? There are several reasons you will need to use SSH. These include:

• If you are creating personal webpages, you would use SSH to transfer your files from a disk or harddrive to your WWW space on the Penn State U:drive.
• To transfer any file from a disk or harddrive to your storage space on the U:drive
• To transfer webpage, document, or any other type of file to a common folder on a network drive for projects, assignments, groupwork, etc. (This is what you will be using SSH for in this course.)

What types of files can I transfer with SSH? You can transfer any file type using the SSH program. Some of the most common you will be working with include:

• .htm or .html = web page
• .txt = plain text files
• .gif = image (GIF format)
• .jpg = image (JPEG format)
• .wav = sound (non-streaming)
• .rm = sound (RealAudio)
• .doc = Microsoft Word file
• .xls = Microsoft Excel file
• .ppt = Microsoft PowerPoint file

Hints for filenames:

• Avoid spaces and punctuation. Use underscores ( _ ) in place of spaces, for example: this_is_my_file.txt.
• Avoid Capitalization. Many programs are case sensitive. Use all lowercase letters, for example: my_data.html, not My_Data.html or MY_DATA.html.

How do I use SSH? The following brief tutorial will guide you through the following general steps for using SSH Secure Shell to transfer files over a network connection.

1. Locating the SSH Secure Shell program on ITS Lab public terminals running Windows XP
2. Selecting "Quick Connect"
3. Entering the "Host Name"-- the "path"-- to the remote server to which you wish to transfer files
4. Entering your User Name and Password
5. Selecting files to "Upload", and "uploading" to the remote server
6. Disconnecting from the SSH Secure Shell program

1. Locating the SSH Secure Shell program on ITS Lab public terminals running Windows XP

The SSH Secure Shell program can be found at the following path on Windows XP machines in the ITS Computer Labs.

Windows Installer May Run! If this is the first time SSH was used at the terminal you are on, the Windows Installer program may run. This is okay, let it run the installation and then SSH will start!

Once you have selected this path, you will see the following window pop up:

2. Selecting "Quick Connect"

Near the upper left of the window, you will see the option "Quick Connect". Select this option by clicking on it.

3. Entering the "Host Name"-- the "path"-- to the remote server to which you wish to transfer files

Once you have selected the Quick Connect option, you will see the "Connect to Remote Host" window. In the box "Host Name", enter the "path" to the remote server to which you need to connect. For this course, we will be connecting to the server "beetle.la.psu.edu". Enter this "path" into the "Host Name" box.

4. Entering your User Name and Password

Your User Name for this course is "ger201". Everyone in this course will be using the same User Name. (If you are connecting to the Penn State Personal Server, your User Name would be your individual ITS account ID, e.g. axa999)

Once you have entered the User Name provided for this course, click on the "Connect" button. You will see the following window prompting you to enter your password. Enter the password you had been given for your course, and click on "OK". If you forget the password you have been given, please contact your instructor.



Note: You will have to reenter the above information each time you use a ITS lab machine. ITS machines erase profile information after you log out. From your personal machine (in your office or at home), however, you can save your profile information (select "add profile") and simply select it from the Profile Name drop-down list when you wish to connect to that server.

5. Selecting files to "Upload", and "uploading" to the remote server

When your password is verified, you will be connected to the remote server and will see the following window.

To begin to "upload" files to the remote server, click on the "Window" option, and then select "New File Transfer".

Note: With SSH Secure Shell, you can upload (put) files or download (get) files. Uploading is sending a file from the local computer (the one you’re sitting at) to a remote server. Downloading is the opposite, receiving a file sent from a remote server to the local computer. In this tutorial, we are only covering "uploading" files.



When you select this, the File Transfer window will open.



Using the Directory on the left side frame, navigate to the folder you wish to upload your files into. Your professor will indicate whether your are in the German 201 "a" section or the German 201 "b" section. It is important that you select the correct folder for your course! If you have any questions about this, please contact your professor. In the following example, we are moving files into the "a" folder.

Once you have selected the correct folder, click on the "upload" arrow, located near the center of the toolbar.



A window will open allowing you to view the files on your harddrive or disk.



Select the files you wish to "upload" and then click on the "Upload" button. In the following example we are uploading the file named "liprefs.js".



Once the upload is complete, you will be able to see that the file you have upload is now present in the folder on the remote server.

6. Disconnecting from the SSH Secure Shell program

Once you have completed uploading your files to the remote server, you may disconnect from the Secure Shell File Transfer Client. To do this click on the "File" menu and select the option "Disconnect".