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Setting Up SSH clients on Windows Mobile Devices

How to restart a computer or to perform other actions in a secure way being a thousand miles away from it? The answer to this question is SSH protocol.

SSH (Secure Shell) represents a network protocol that is used for the remote control and data exchange via secure channel between two networked devices. According to its functionality SSH is similar to Telnet and other insecure remote shells (that send information in plain text, i.e. leaving it open for the interception), but in comparison with them it encrypts all the information including the passwords.

Secure Shell uses the client-server model.

By default SSH server listens on the standard TCP port 22.

An SSH client represents a program used to establish the remote connections.

There are SSH servers and SSH clients for almost all the modern platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Java, Solaris, Symbian OS, Windows Mobile and even Palm OS.

So let’s take a closer look at the SSH clients used on Windows Mobile Devices.

Despite the fact that there are a lot of them, we will describe just a couple because their features do not vary so significantly.

PocketPuTTY

PocketPuTTY represents a free, open source SSH client for Pocket PC. Despite the fact that it’s absolutely free, it has all the features you need:

  • SSH1
  • SSH2
  • Telnet
  • Serial
  • Tunneling
  • Private key authentication
  • Color terminal emulation
  • Installation of PocketPuTTY

In fact there is no installation needed at all because it’s just an .exe file:
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Thus you can place it wherever you want and run it every time you need (or just to make a shortcut).

As you will shortly find out, the last version of this application was made on 02.28.2007; however it runs very nice on my Windows Mobile 6.5, so you don’t need to worry about the compatibility issues. You can download it from the official website.

  • Configuring the connection

The User Interface is simple enough and you can hardly encounter any problems with the setting up a connection.

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However if you need help, please visit the forum on the official web site and you will be able to find the answer to your question.

ZaTelnet Professional

ZaTelnet is a professional protocol client designed for system administrators, users and web designers who work with Unix/Linux/BSD systems. It has some specific features that generally can not be found in similar applications:

  • smart phone support
  • virtual scrolling screen with adjustable size
  • floating keyboard
  • support of all possible display sizes and etc.

It supports the following types of protocols: Telnet / SSH / SSH1 / SSH2 / Serial client for devices supporting Microsoft Compact Framework 1.0 or 2.0.

  • Installation of ZaTelnet Professional

To download this application you should visit the official web site of its developers. Unfortunately it’s not free and in case you like it, you will need to buy it.

Once you downloaded it just install the .cab file.

  • Setting up the connection

To set up the connection you need to choose the protocol you want to use, fill out the “server” field and press “start”.

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In case you need to change the setting use the rest four tabs at the bottom of the screen:

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For any further information please check out this page and the forum (that can be found on this page as well).

Token2Shell Mobile

  • Installing Token2Shell Mobile on the device

The installation file can be found on the on the official web site. This is a fully functional trial version that has a 30-days time limitation. As soon as you purchase Token2Shell/Mobile, you will receive license key information to convert this trial version to a full one that does not have any usage limitation.

After the installation you get the application shortcut (Token2Shell Mobile) and SSH port forwarding application (Token2Shell.SSHpf Mobile):

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  • Entering remote host address

Here are the three ways to start communication session:

  • tap “session” menu and select one of the listed items
  • use the Address Book
  • use Recent option that contains all the recent sessions

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Moreover you can change all the settings (font, color and etc.) as you want by going to Menu – Options:

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In case you encounter any problems with setting a connection, you can read the instruction or ask the customer support service for help here.

PockeTTY 3.04

  • Installing PocketTTY 3.04 on the device

You can find the installation file for this app here. Again the unregistered version will be a fully functional one but will allow you to connect just for 5 minutes at a time.

When you first start up PockeTTY 3.04 application (registered version), you will see a welcome screen like this:

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  • Setting up a connection

You need use the “Session” menu (Menu – Session) to open a new connection, disconnect an open connection or switch between sessions.

It has to be emphasized that some types of connections provide a terminal interface allowing you to enter commands and see their results. Other types of connections operate at the networking layer. Regardless of the interface, all connections have an associated session, which is listed in the “Session” menu.

To make a new connection, tap “Connect” menu. The following window will appear:

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Choose the type of connection you need from the list of options. You will need to set parameters specific to the connection type you chose. The next time if you choose the same option, the basic connection parameters that you used last time will appear. However the settings that are not on the initial screen will not be remembered.

Moreover you can save the settings for the connection and next time they will appear below the dashed line. Choosing saved settings will bypass the parameters window and attempt to connect immediately.

Here is how a configuration dialog for SSH2 connection looks:

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On the main dialog you enter your hostname and username. You may also specify the port number to which PockeTTY should connect (usually it’s 22, so there is no need to change it).

In order to access Advanced Settings press Menu – Advanced:

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To read the detailed instruction about given app, please visit this page.

If you couldn’t managed to get the answer, ask the customer support for help or read FAQ here.

Hope I’ve been helpful.

  1. September 24th, 2009 at 14:22 | #1

    I have to say, SSH was the best thing they ever came out with. You can’t beat its security nor its reliabilty.