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Using SSH (Secure Shell) on a Mac

SSH (Secure Shell) is a secure version of Telnet. To learn more about SSH and Telnet, please click here.

IC (Instructional Computing) Labs should have SSH Client installed on all computers. This tutorial will give a brief overview of SSH Client in IC Labs. You can ask IC lab consultants if you have any questions about SSH software.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:
As of August 6, 2008 server changes will require you to follow these steps to allow a connection to your course website on ic.ucsc.edu. Your past application usage will retain obsolete Remote Host Access key information preventing a connection to ic.ucsc.edu. Follow these steps to change the host key.

Note: If you are connecting for the first time, you may proceed to step one of the original tutorial.
  1. Instead of logging on SSH, open up a Terminal by going to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

    Open Terminal

  2. On the command line, type in open .ssh

    Opening up the .ssh file

  3. A folder will pop-up with a file called known_hosts. Drag that file into the trash can to delete it.

    Delete Known Hosts file

  4. Deleting the known_hosts file will remove previous host keys from your computer. A new known_hosts will automatically be created with the updated host key the next time you connect.

You can now connect normally.

If you should have any questions or need guidance, feel free to contact the FITC staff for help at (831) 459-5506.

Steps to use SFTP on a Mac

SSH Programs Available for the Macintosh

There are many shareware SSH programs available from UCSC that you can install if you are not using an IC Lab Mac. You will need to either be on campus or dial-in to the campus network to download these programs.

Launching an SSH Application

Click on Hard Disk > Applications > Internet Tools > SSH Client

If you have trouble finding the SSH program (Secure Shell) in an IC lab, please ask an IC consultant for assistance.

Menu screenshot for locating SSH program in IC labs


Connecting to a Remote Computer

Next you should see a window asking for your login name (as seen on the right). Type in your user name, followed by the [enter] key. A new window will appear asking for your password. Enter your password and press the [enter] key.

Note: If your e-mail is sammyslug@ucsc.edu, you will enter "sammyslug" as your user name and enter the same password as your e-mail account. Keep in mind passwords are case-sensitive!

Connection dialog box

Once you have successfully logged in, you should see some messages and your Unix prompt. Otherwise, if you have typed in a bad user name or password, you might get a message saying "Password authentication failed." Retype your password, making sure that caps lock is off.

All ITS/Instructional Computing servers use your ITS account for login. If you do not have an ITS account, you can get one using ITS Account Request Page.


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USCS Faculty Instructional Technology Center
2006-2008
Last updated 9/10/2008