Install PuTTY on Linux – Quick and Efficient Steps

In this article, we want to teach you how to Install PuTTY on Linux in a simple way. First of all, let us tell you what PuTTY is.

PuTTY Linux version is a graphical terminal program that supports the SSH, telnet, and rlogin protocols and connects to serial ports. It can also connect to raw sockets, typically for debugging use. Since most people would just use the preinstalled Open SSH in a terminal window on Linux for basic SSH access, the primary use of PuTTY on Linux is probably debugging: connecting to raw sockets and connecting to serial ports. If you need a user interface for these sorts of debugging tasks, then Install PuTTY on Linux could be a good solution.

You can now proceed to the following steps provided by the Orcacore website to Install PuTTY on Linux.

You can follow the steps below to install PuTTY on Linux distributions including RHEL and Debian-based operating systems.

PuTTY installation on Centos / RHEL / Fedora

The PuTTY package is available in the default CentOS and RHEL repositories. So, to install PuTTY run the following command:

sudo yum install putty –y 
or
sudo dnf install putty –y

PuTTY Installation on Ubuntu / Debian

To install PuTTY on Ubuntu or Debian Linux run the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install putty –y

PuTTY Installation on Arch Linux

The PuTTY package is available in default Arch Linux repositories. So, to install run the following Pacman command:

sudo pacman –s putty

At this time we install PuTTY let’s see how it can be used to access the remote systems.

Access to PuTTY in Linux

To access PuTTY, search PuTTY from your dash and then click on its icon. In the next window, assign the IP address of the remote server and SSH port.

Now click on ‘Open’ and in the next window Choose ‘Accept’ to exchange the keys.

Next, it will instantly you to enter the User’s password. Enter your username and password.

Perfect you have successfully connected to your Linux server. You can now leverage PuTTY for your desired debugging or serial connection tasks.

Conclusion

So now you know about what PuTTY is and you know how to install it on Arch / Debian / Ubuntu/Centos/Fedora / RHEL Linux. Hope you enjoy this article about how to Install PuTTY on Linux.

Also, If you need to install PuTTY on your Windows OS, you need to follow the download and installation PuTTY on Windows article.

Alternative Solutions for Remote Access on Linux

While PuTTY offers a graphical interface for SSH and other protocols, Linux provides robust command-line tools for achieving similar functionality. These tools are often preferred by experienced users due to their efficiency and scriptability. Let’s explore two alternative solutions. While PuTTY is an excellent tool to Install PuTTY on Linux, it is not the only tool.

1. OpenSSH (Command-Line SSH Client)

OpenSSH is a suite of security-related network-level tools. It includes ssh, the command-line SSH client, which is pre-installed on most Linux distributions. This eliminates the need for installing a separate application like PuTTY for basic SSH access.

Explanation:

The ssh command allows you to establish secure connections to remote servers directly from your terminal. It supports various authentication methods, including password-based authentication and public key authentication. It’s a powerful and versatile tool for remote administration. It’s a good alternative to Install PuTTY on Linux.

Usage:

To connect to a remote server using ssh, you can use the following command:

ssh username@remote_host

Where:

• username is your username on the remote server.
• remote_host is the IP address or hostname of the remote server.

Example:

To connect to a server with the IP address 192.168.1.100 as the user john, you would run:

ssh john@192.168.1.100

You will then be prompted for your password.

Public Key Authentication:

For enhanced security and convenience, consider using public key authentication. This involves generating a key pair (public and private key) on your local machine and copying the public key to the remote server. This allows you to log in without entering your password each time.

Generating a Key Pair:

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096

This command generates a new RSA key pair with a key size of 4096 bits. You’ll be prompted to enter a file in which to save the key (the default is ~/.ssh/id_rsa) and a passphrase (optional).

Copying the Public Key to the Remote Server:

ssh-copy-id username@remote_host

This command copies your public key to the ~/.ssh/authorized_keys file on the remote server. You will be prompted for your password the first time you use this command. After that, you should be able to log in without a password.

Example using public key authentication:

Assuming you’ve generated and copied your SSH key, connecting to the server becomes:

ssh john@192.168.1.100

You will not be prompted for a password.

Benefits of OpenSSH:

• Pre-installed: Available on most Linux distributions by default.
• Secure: Employs strong encryption and authentication mechanisms.
• Scriptable: Can be easily integrated into scripts for automated tasks.
• Lightweight: Consumes fewer system resources compared to graphical applications.
• Versatile: Supports a wide range of options and configurations.

2. MobaXterm (Enhanced Terminal for Windows and Linux)

While ssh is powerful, it lacks the graphical features some users prefer. MobaXterm bridges this gap by providing an enhanced terminal for Windows (and a limited version for Linux) that integrates X11 server, tabbed SSH client, network tools (like VNC, RDP, Xdmcp, FTP, SFTP), and more. It’s particularly useful for users who need to work with remote graphical applications or manage multiple connections simultaneously. Although its primary target is Windows, a home edition is available for Linux. MobaXterm might be a good option if you need more than just Install PuTTY on Linux to get the job done.

Explanation:

MobaXterm is more than just an SSH client. It is a complete environment for remote computing. It simplifies the process of connecting to remote servers, running graphical applications, and transferring files. It’s especially helpful for users who frequently switch between different remote sessions.

Installation (on Debian/Ubuntu):

While not available in standard repositories, MobaXterm can be downloaded from the official website as a portable archive. Extract the archive and run the MobaXterm executable.

Using MobaXterm:

After launching MobaXterm, you can create new SSH sessions by clicking on the "Session" button and selecting "SSH". You’ll then be prompted to enter the remote host’s IP address or hostname, username, and password (or use public key authentication).

Features and Benefits:

• X11 Server: Allows you to run graphical applications on remote servers and display them on your local machine.
• Tabbed Interface: Manage multiple SSH sessions in separate tabs.
• Built-in Network Tools: Includes VNC, RDP, Xdmcp, FTP, and SFTP clients.
• Port Forwarding: Easily set up SSH tunnels for secure access to network services.
• Session Management: Save and manage your SSH sessions for quick access.
• Embedded Tools: Comes with a variety of useful tools, such as a text editor, file manager, and terminal emulator.

Example: Running a graphical application remotely

1. Connect to the remote server using MobaXterm’s SSH client.
2. Ensure that X11 forwarding is enabled (it’s usually enabled by default in MobaXterm).
3. Run the graphical application on the remote server. For example, to run xclock:

xclock

The xclock application should appear on your local machine, even though it’s running on the remote server.

Code Integration (SFTP):

MobaXterm simplifies file transfer with its integrated SFTP browser. After connecting to a server, a file browser appears on the left, allowing for drag-and-drop file transfers between your local machine and the remote server. You can also right-click on files to edit them directly within MobaXterm’s text editor.

Choosing the Right Tool:

• If you only need basic SSH access and prefer a lightweight, command-line tool, OpenSSH is the ideal choice.
• If you require a graphical interface, X11 forwarding, or integration with other network tools, MobaXterm is a powerful alternative. Install PuTTY on Linux may not be necessary if you prefer MobaXterm.

These alternatives provide flexibility and choice for managing remote connections on Linux. Depending on your specific needs and preferences, you can select the tool that best suits your workflow.