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How to Use the Terminal PuTTY?

Published in Computer Networking 3 mins read

PuTTY is a free and open-source terminal emulator that allows you to connect to remote computers over a network. It's commonly used for managing servers, accessing databases, and performing other administrative tasks.

Download and Install PuTTY

  1. Download PuTTY: Visit the official PuTTY website (https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/) and download the appropriate version for your operating system.
  2. Install PuTTY: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen instructions.

Connect to a Remote Server

  1. Open PuTTY: Launch the PuTTY application.
  2. Enter the Host Name or IP Address: In the "Host Name (or IP address)" field, type the hostname or IP address of the remote server you want to connect to.
  3. Select the Connection Type: Choose "SSH" from the "Connection type" dropdown menu.
  4. Configure Port (Optional): If the server uses a non-standard port (other than 22), enter the port number in the "Port" field.
  5. Save Session (Optional): Click "Save" to save the connection settings for future use.
  6. Open: Click "Open" to establish a connection to the remote server.

Using the PuTTY Terminal

Once connected, you'll see a command prompt in the PuTTY window. You can now use the terminal to interact with the remote server.

  • Enter commands: Type commands at the prompt and press Enter to execute them.
  • Navigate directories: Use commands like cd (change directory) to move between directories.
  • List files: Use commands like ls (list) to view the contents of the current directory.
  • Edit files: Use text editors like vi or nano to edit files.
  • Run programs: Execute programs by typing their names at the prompt.

Closing the Connection

To disconnect from the remote server, type exit at the command prompt and press Enter. You can also close the PuTTY window to terminate the connection.

Additional Tips

  • Use SSH keys: For more secure connections, consider using SSH keys instead of passwords.
  • Enable X11 forwarding: If you need to run graphical applications on the remote server, enable X11 forwarding in PuTTY settings.
  • Customize PuTTY settings: PuTTY offers a wide range of settings to customize the terminal environment to your liking.

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