Simplifying SSH
Simplifying SSH
EasySSH lives up to its name and starts SSH connections at the click of a mouse.
Most experienced Linux users are familiar with Secure Shell (SSH), with some being regular users. The protocol supports encrypted connections with remote devices via TCP/IP according to the client-server principle. Typically, you connect to servers that do not have a graphical user interface (GUI). However, with the appropriate bandwidth, you can manage tools with a GUI using X forwarding.
Easier than SecPanel
Most Windows users are familiar with the PuTTY open source terminal emulator as an interface for SSH, whereas Linux users usually interface with SSH on the command line. Although PuTTY is also available for Linux, SecPanel [1], which has been under development for many years, has gained better acceptance in the Linux world (Figure 1).

SecPanel stores frequently used connections in profiles and creates them at the push of a button. If you are looking for a less complex alternative, EasySSH [2] is worth a look. When installing EasySSH, it is important to make sure that you download the correct tool (see the box "Same Names").
Same Names
EasySSH is an easy-to-use tool that acts as an SSH connection manager. It was written by the Elementary OS distribution team but is also suitable for other distributions. Do not confuse the tool with the easyssh
script, which implements functions of the SSH protocol in the Go programming language.
Even if you prefer to work at the command line, it makes sense to automate repetitive steps, such as establishing an SSH connection. The more servers you contact, the more useful you will find an easy-to-use GUI tool that remembers each host's data.
Restrictions
EasySSH, which has only been under development for a few months, currently has a major limitation: To reduce the act of opening an SSH connection to a single mouse click, the program saves the access credentials, including the password, in plaintext in the local configuration file. Consequently, it is only suitable for computers that are in a trusted environment or that have an encrypted disk. However, the developer has promised that the configuration file will soon be encrypted and protected by a master password. Once security can be guaranteed, there is no drawback to using this program.
Since EasySSH is not found in the package sources of major distributions at this time, you must install it manually. For easier installation, you can use a Flatpak (current version 1.3.4) available on Flathub [3], the Flatpak app store. Additionally, Arch Linux users can download EasySSH from the AUR.
Flatpak Installation
To install from Flathub, go to the Flatpak Quick Setup [4] and follow the instructions for your distribution. Next, reboot your system. Gnome users should then be able to install the program with Gnome Software (Figure 2); KDE supports the integration of Flatpak applications as of Plasma 5.13 in the Discover graphical package manager.

Installation at the command line is faster. To do this, enter the
flatpak install flathub com.github.muriloventuroso.easyssh
command as a normal user. The system first imports the required run-time environments and then EasySSH itself. The run times offer benefits with later Flatpak installations.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you've found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
The GNU Project Celebrates Its 40th Birthday
September 27 marks the 40th anniversary of the GNU Project, and it was celebrated with a hacker meeting in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.
-
Linux Kernel Reducing Long-Term Support
LTS support for the Linux kernel is about to undergo some serious changes that will have a considerable impact on the future.
-
Fedora 39 Beta Now Available for Testing
For fans and users of Fedora Linux, the first beta of release 39 is now available, which is a minor upgrade but does include GNOME 45.
-
Fedora Linux 40 to Drop X11 for KDE Plasma
When Fedora 40 arrives in 2024, there will be a few big changes coming, especially for the KDE Plasma option.
-
Real-Time Ubuntu Available in AWS Marketplace
Anyone looking for a Linux distribution for real-time processing could do a whole lot worse than Real-Time Ubuntu.
-
KSMBD Finally Reaches a Stable State
For those who've been looking forward to the first release of KSMBD, after two years it's no longer considered experimental.
-
Nitrux 3.0.0 Has Been Released
The latest version of Nitrux brings plenty of innovation and fresh apps to the table.
-
Linux From Scratch 12.0 Now Available
If you're looking to roll your own Linux distribution, the latest version of Linux From Scratch is now available with plenty of updates.
-
Linux Kernel 6.5 Has Been Released
The newest Linux kernel, version 6.5, now includes initial support for two very exciting features.
-
UbuntuDDE 23.04 Now Available
A new version of the UbuntuDDE remix has finally arrived with all the updates from the Deepin desktop and everything that comes with the Ubuntu 23.04 base.