PuTTY : How to connect to the Host (Using SSH network Protocol) ?

PuTTY is a free & Open Source application used to connect to the host system(s) from different terminals. In simple terms, we can access the host system remotely. The system to connect is called the Host System & the system from where trying to connect is the Terminal.

In this article, I am going to explain how to connect to the host system from the terminal.

Assuming you have installed PuTTY on your System (Windows Operating System).

Step 1. Open PuTTY. You will see the PuTTY configuration window, which looks like below.

Step 2. Provide Hostname or IP address, in “Host name (or IP address)” field.

Step 3. We use SSH (Secure SHell) network protocol to connect to the Host System. Select SSH option in “Connection type:” field. You can use either password or private key to connect to the Host system.

>> Below are the steps to connect using a password: <<

Step 4. Click on Open button, to connect to the Host.

Step 5. PuTTY will open a command prompt & prompt to enter the user name and the password to connect to the Host. Enter the username & password to connect to the Host.

>> Below are the steps to connect using private key: <<

Step 6. From the “Category” list, which is left side in the “PuTTY configuration window”, expand “Connection” category.

Step 7. Expand SSH category which is under “Connection” category.

Step 8. Select “Auth” from “SSH” category. PuTTY will display the options controlling SSH authentication.

Step 9. Click on Browse… button to select the Private key file for authentication. This is the key file must be agreed with the Host System in-order to connect to the Host System.

Step 10. PuTTY will open “Select Private key file” window. The private key file should be in “.PPK” format; PuTTY’s own private key format. Select the “.PPK” file from “Select private key file” window and click on Open button.

Selected private key file name will be displayed under “Private key file for authentication:” text box.

Step 11. Click on Open button, to connect to the Host. Enter the user name and press Enter key. This time, you no need to enter the password; as the authentication is through the Private Key file. If the key file is in-correct, you are not allowed to connect to the Host.

Now you have connected from the Terminal through PuTTY to the Host System.

[..] David