How to Install PuTTY on Linux?

How To Install PuTTY On Linux?

PuTTY for linux is a widely used open-source SSH and Telnet client that provides secure remote access to Linux and Unix-based systems. While PuTTY is more commonly associated with Windows, it is also available for Linux distributions. In this post, we'll walk you through installing PuTTY for Linux and go over some of its most useful features, like using PuTTY and managing your SSH keys using public key authentication.

Running PuTTY: Before we dive into the installation process, it's essential to understand that PuTTY consists of multiple components. The main component, putty for linux, is a terminal emulator that enables you to establish SSH connections to remote servers. Additionally, there are other utilities like pscp (for secure file copying) and psftp (for secure file transfer) that come bundled with PuTTY.

Installation Process

Here's how you can install PuTTY for Linux:

Step 1: Update Package Manager

Open your terminal and update your package manager's repository information. Use the appropriate command for your Linux distribution. use the following code:

Step 2: Install PuTTY

Once your package manager is updated, you can proceed to install PuTTY. Use the following command: sudo apt install putty

The package manager will fetch the necessary files and install PuTTY on your Linux system.

Usage

After installing PuTTY for linux, you can launch it from the terminal by simply typing putty. This will open the PuTTY configuration window, where you can configure various settings to establish SSH connections. Enter the remote server's IP address or hostname, choose the appropriate connection type (SSH), and click Open to establish the connection.

PuTTY provides a user-friendly interface for managing SSH connections, allowing you to save sessions for quick access and configure advanced settings like terminal emulation, proxy settings, and SSH encryption options.

SSH Key Management and Public Key Authentication

SSH key management and public key authentication are both supported by PuTTY. Public key authentication is more secure than password-based authentication. Here's how you can manage SSH keys and enable public key authentication with PuTTY:

Step 1: Generate SSH Key Pair:

Use the puttygen utility, which is included with PuTTY, to generate an SSH key pair. Launch puttygen from the terminal:

Follow the instructions to generate a new key pair, including selecting the key type (RSA, DSA, etc.), key size, and providing a passphrase (optional).

Step 2: Save Public and Private Keys:

Once the key pair is generated, save the public key (.pub file) and private key (.ppk file) to a secure location on your system.

Step 3: Configure Public Key Authentication:

Id_rsa.pub or a similar public key file's contents should be copied and added to the remote server's /.ssh/authorized_keys file. This allows the server to authenticate you using the corresponding private key.

Step 4: PuTTY Public Key Authentication Configuration:

Navigate to the Connection > SSH > Auth section in the PuTTY for linux setup window. Select the generated private key file (id_rsa.ppk or a similar name) by clicking the Browse button next to Private key file for authentication.

Once configured, PuTTY will use the private key for authentication when establishing SSH connections to the remote server.

Please note that you should securely store and backup your private key as it grants access to the corresponding server. Also, ensure that the permissions for the private key file are set to be readable only by the owner (chmod 600 private_key.ppk).

PuTTY on Linux provides a convenient way to establish secure SSH connections and manage remote systems. By following the installation process, utilizing its user-friendly interface, and leveraging SSH key management with public key authentication, you can enhance the security and efficiency of your remote access experience. PuTTY's versatility and robustness make it a valuable tool for Linux users seeking secure remote connectivity.