SSH: What is it and how to use it

SSH: What It Is and How to Use It

SSH, or "Secure Shell", is a way to safely connect to another computer over the internet. It’s often used to control or manage a device (like a 3D printer or Raspberry Pi) without needing to be right next to it. Think of it as a remote control for computers.

With SSH, you can:
- Send commands to another computer
- Access files
- Troubleshoot issues

In this guide, we’ll show you how to use SSH on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

📌 What You Need Before You Start

IP Address: The network address of the device you want to connect to.
- Remember: The IP must not include http(...), slashes, or anything extra. Just the numbers, like 192.168.1.100.
Username and Password: Credentials for the device (e.g., the default for many 3D printers and Raspberry Pi is pi and raspberry).
SSH Client: A program that lets you connect using SSH. Options include:
- PuTTY (for Windows)
- Terminal (built into Mac and Linux)
- OpenSSH (available on all platforms)

🪟 Windows: Using PuTTY

Download PuTTY
- Go to https://www.putty.org
- Click on "Download PuTTY" and choose the version that matches your Windows (usually the 64-bit version).

Install and Open PuTTY
- Run the installer and follow the instructions.
- Open PuTTY from the Start Menu.

Connect to Your Device
- In the Host Name field, type your device's IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100).
- Important: Do not include http:// or any slashes. Only the IP address.
- Make sure Port is set to 22 and Connection type is set to SSH.
- Click Open.

Pop-Ups and Warnings
- The first time you connect, you might see a warning about connecting to an unknown host. This is normal.
- Click Yes to continue.

Login
- A black window will appear asking for your username. Type it and press Enter.
- Next, type your password (you won’t see the characters as you type – this is normal).
- Press Enter. You should now be connected!

🍏 Mac: Using Terminal

Open Terminal
- Press Command + Space and type Terminal, then hit Enter.

Connect Using SSH
- In Terminal, type:

ssh username@IP_Address

Example:

ssh pi@192.168.1.100

- Press Enter.

Pop-Ups and Warnings
- The first time you connect, you might see a warning about the authenticity of the host. This is normal.
- Type yes and press Enter to continue.

Login
- Enter your password and press Enter.
- You’re now connected!

🐧 Linux: Using Terminal

On Linux, SSH is built into the Terminal, just like on Mac.

Open Terminal
- You can usually find it in your applications menu or by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.

Connect Using SSH
- In Terminal, type:

ssh username@IP_Address

Example:

ssh pi@192.168.1.100

🔧 Troubleshooting Tips

- Connection Refused: Make sure SSH is enabled on the device you’re trying to connect to.
- Wrong Password: Double-check your username and password. Remember, passwords are case-sensitive!
- No Response: Ensure the device is powered on and connected to the same network.

💡 Extra Tips

- Want to avoid entering your password every time? Look into SSH keys for password-less login (advanced users).
- Need help finding your device’s IP address? Check your router settings or use a network scanning tool like Angry IP Scanner.

🔗 Useful Links

- Download PuTTY
- Angry IP Scanner

Got questions or need help? Reach out to our support team, and we’ll be glad to assist you!

Happy connecting! 🚀

Updated on: 28/02/2025

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