Connecting to a Server with PuTTY
Introduction
In this lesson, we will walk through the process of using PuTTY, a free and open-source terminal emulator, serial console, and network file transfer application, to connect to a server. PuTTY is widely used for remote access to servers and networking equipment over SSH, Telnet, and other protocols.
Requirements
- A Windows computer with internet access
- The PuTTY application
- Credentials for the server (IP address, username, and password, or an SSH key)
Step 1: Download and Install PuTTY
- Visit the official PuTTY download page at www.putty.org.
- Click on the link to the PuTTY Download Page.
- Choose the appropriate installer for your version of Windows (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Download the
.msi
file to your computer. - Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install PuTTY.
Step 2: Gather Your Server Information
- Obtain the IP address or hostname of the server you want to connect to.
- Make sure you know the correct port number for the connection, which by default is 22 for SSH connections.
- Have your username and password ready, or if the server requires key-based authentication, ensure you have the private key file in
.ppk
format. If your key is not in.ppk
format, you will need to convert it using PuTTYgen (part of the PuTTY suite).
Step 3: Launch PuTTY and Configure Your Connection
- Open PuTTY by double-clicking its icon on your desktop or from the Start menu.
- In the ‘Session’ category (the default screen when PuTTY opens), enter the IP address or hostname of your server in the ‘Host Name (or IP address)’ field.
- Ensure that the ‘Port’ is set to the correct number for your server’s SSH service (usually 22).
- Select ‘SSH’ under ‘Connection type’.
- In the ‘Saved Sessions’ field, give your session a name. This allows you to save the settings for future use.
- Click ‘Save’ to store the session details.
Step 4: Configure Authentication Parameters
If using password authentication:
- You will enter your username and password later, so no further configuration is needed in PuTTY.
If using an SSH key:
- Go to the ‘Connection > SSH > Auth’ category in the PuTTY Configuration window.
- Click the ‘Browse’ button and navigate to the location of your
.ppk
file. - Select the file and click ‘Open’ to choose it for authentication.
Step 5: Optional Settings
For added security (SSH keys only):
- You might want to add a passphrase to your key when you create it using PuTTYgen.
To automate login:
- Go to ‘Connection > Data’ in the PuTTY Configuration window.
- Enter your username in the ‘Auto-login username’ field.
Step 6: Save and Open the Connection
- Return to the ‘Session’ category.
- Click ‘Save’ again to save all of your settings.
- Click ‘Open’ to initiate the connection to your server.
Step 7: Log In to Your Server
- A terminal window will open asking for your login credentials.
- If using password authentication, enter your username and then your password when prompted.
- If using SSH key authentication, you should be prompted only for the passphrase if you set one.
Conclusion
Once logged in, you will have access to the server’s command line, where you can perform various tasks depending on your user permissions. PuTTY is a powerful tool that enables secure access to remote servers for management and file transfer.
Tips
- Always ensure you’re connecting to the correct server to avoid security issues.
- Keep your PuTTY software updated to the latest version.
- Use key-based authentication over passwords for better security.
PuTTY is an essential tool for network administrators, developers, and anyone needing to manage servers or other networked devices remotely. By following this lesson, you should now be able to establish a secure connection to a server using PuTTY.