SSH (stands for ‘secure shell’) is a high-security network protocol that lets you connect to a remote server, and PuTTY is a GUI based client software that lets you log on to remote servers using SSH. PuTTY is an SSH client for the Windows platform. Mac users can ssh directly from terminal.
Instructions to setup and access PuTTY
Downloading PuTTY
1. In order to setup or use PuTTy, you must be connected to the internet. If you are on campus and need to connect to the internet, you can read the instructions on how to setup eduroam on your computer.
2. Download the PuTTy installer from here (Make sure you grab the latest stable release from under Binaries/A windows isntalled for everything except PuTTYtel. The file will be named something like putty-0.63-installer.exe).
3. Save the file to your laptop/PC. Once download is complete, execute the file by double clicking on the PuTTy installer icon.
Installing PuTTY
4. You will be greeted with a welcome dialog. You may click ‘Next’ button to proceed.
5. The wizard will ask you to select a directory to install PuTTY to. Use the default directory and click the ‘Next’ button to proceed.
6. The wizard will ask which folder you wish to put PuTTY into on the Start Menu. Use the option provided by default and click the ‘Next’ button to continue.
7. You will be asked addtional questions. You can choose to have an icon placed on your desktop or on the Panel as a quick start button for easier access to PuTTY if you wish. It is recommended that you keep the option for associating .ppk files checked. You may click the ‘Next’ button to continue.
8. PuTTY is now ready to install. You may click the Install button to start the installation process.
9. Installation is complete, you may now click the ‘Finish’ button to exit the installer. It is recommended that you read the README file for further information about PuTTY.
Configuring a PuTTY session to connect to a remote server
10. Launch PuTTY. If you selected the option to put an icon on the desktop or a button in the start menu you may launch PuTTY from there. Otherwise, click on the start menu and in the search box type-in putty. Select the PuTTY application to run.
11. Once PuTTY is launched, under the Host Name (or IP address) enter the server you wish to connect to. For Protocol, select the SSH radio button option. And then, click Open.
11. If this is the first time you are connecting to a server, a security alert will show up. Click Yes to continue.
12. Following this you will be prompted with the SSH Login window, where you will need to enter the username and password to gain access to the server you are trying to connect to.
13. Once credentials (username and password) are authorized, you will then be able to access the server.