Secure Shell (SSH)

Secure Shell (SSH) connections give you access to the command line similar to the Terminal app. SSH requires special software rather than the web browser and opens port 22 on the network. Once SSH is setup, however, it runs faster and more reliably than the current Terminal plugin.

The SSH app on arkOS lets you
 * Start or stop the SSH Server (to permit or deny SSH connections)
 * Authorize SSH connections from the local network or the public Internet
 * Add or remove Public Keys to use with your login on the arkOS server
 * Configure low-level settings such as root login and password authentication.

Log in with password
The simplest way to use SSH is to log in with a username and password from another computer on the same network. Install the SSH app in Genesis (if you haven't already), then follow the instructions for your operating system.

Microsoft Windows

 * 1) Download PuTTY.exe.
 * 2) Double click to run PuTTY.exe.
 * 3) Fill in the local IP address for your server. Click "Open".
 * 4) The first time you log in it will say "Host key not found from database". Click "Yes" to continue.
 * 5) Log in using your Genesis username and password.

Linux and Mac OS

 * 1) Open terminal.
 * 2) Type "ssh -l" followed by your Genesis username and your local host name (or IP address). For example   or.
 * 3)  The first time you log in it will say "Host key not found from database". Confirm "yes" to continue.
 * 4) Type in your password at the prompt.

In the unusual instances when you log in as root, go to your web browser and log in to Genesis. In the SSH app add a check mark next to "Permit Root Login". Then return to your SSH client and use username  password. Obviously you should change this password immediately after permitting root login.

Log in with public key
Public key authentication offers a higher degree of security than simple passwords. Public key authentication is the recommended way of using SSH, especially if you plan to connect over the public Internet.


 * 1) Log in to Genesis, and open the SSH application.
 * 2) Confirm there is a check mark next to "Allow Public Keys".
 * 3) Remove the check mark next to "Allow Passwords" (to enjoy the security benefits of public key authentication).
 * 4) Set up public and private keys (see Windows instructions or Linux instructions).
 * 5) Log in using SSH to test that the keys work.

Log in over the Internet
If you need to administer your arkOS server from outside your local network, SSH offers command line access from anywhere with an Internet connection. All you need is a little bit of setup.


 * 1) Set up public key authentication as explained in the section above. Public key authentication is more secure than username and password authentication.
 * 2) Log in to Genesis, and open the SSH application.
 * 3) Click "Security" and confirm that Authorization is set to "All". If not then click on the world icon to authorize connections from anywhere.
 * 4) Forward port 22 on your router to the local IP address of your arkOS server. For more detailed instructions on forwarding ports see Router setup on the Websites page. Adapt the steps as needed (on step 3 use port 22 instead of port 80, and on step 5 log in using SSH rather than visiting a website).