What is "Terminal access"?
Synonyms for 'terminal': console, shell, command window, DOS box,command prompt, Windows cmd shell, Telnet window
It's the opening of a terminal session and obtaining a command lineprompt, at which you can enter commands directly on the system,whether you are on the system itself using its keyboard and monitor,or on a different machine using SSH or Telnet. It's called bydifferent things, such as a 'shell' or 'console' or 'terminal'or 'command window', but always is line driven and has a commandprompt. It's very similar to an MS-DOS command prompt in Windows, a'DOS box', except this is Linux, so you can't use DOS commands.Linux terminal sessions usually always require a login withpassword.
If you have a monitor attached to your Unraid server, then when youboot normally (not the boot GUI), you end up at the console with alogin prompt. This console is a terminal session.
For terminal access from other machines, Unraid includes both Telnetand SSH support. Telnet is no longer recommended however, because itis older and easier to attack. SSH is recommended instead as moresecure. There are instructions below for disabling Telnet, butTelnet does make it easier the first time you want to access yourserver from another machine. But please remember that it is moresecure to disable Telnet, and set up SSH for all further terminalaccess.
Linux and Mac stations already have terminal access built in. ForWindows, PuTTY is the recommended package, with enhanced support forboth Telnet and SSH. Instructions and links in the PuTTY sectionbelow. Another recommendation, for Windows or Mac, isXshell,similar to PuTTY.
Naturally, you should already have entered a password for 'root'on your Unraid server!
Note: this page assumes you are running Unraid v6. The Telnetsections should work for all versions of Unraid, but the SSHsections are only useful for systems with SSH installed and working.SSH is included and set up in v6, but it will only work with earlierversions if you install an SSH package.
SSH
Unraid v6 and later automatically sets up the SSH keys necessary forSSH access
For terminal access from a Windows station, use the PuTTYinstructions below to install, configure, and set up the SSHconnection
more help needed? ssh setup help? (WIP)
Telnet
Using Telnet
The Unraid Server software includes a built-in Telnet server, whichmay be used to open a command window (also called a shell orconsole) on your server. Access to this console is through aTelnet program from your desktop station. The Telnet tool is usuallya part of most operating systems, and generally immediatelyavailable, but in Windows Vista and Windows 7 and probably laterversions too, it needs to be 'turned on' through the "TurnWindows features on or off" tool. Please see thisthread forcomments on Telnet usage in Vista, Windows 7, and the Mac. Insteadof the built-in Telnet tool, we recommend installing PuTTY, withenhanced Telnet services.
PuTTY
Linux and Mac have their own built in terminal access programs, butWindows needs a little help. Windows does have a Telnet client, butit is a bare bones function, and usually hidden and needing to beturned on. For Windows, we strongly recommend the PuTTY programpackage. It's free and includes enhanced support for both Telnetand SSH. Unlike Windows Telnet, PuTTY allows you to use the mouseand advanced keys, such as the arrow and function keys. PuTTY canalso be setup with your Unraid server name or IP and SSH host key.
PuTTY downloadspage -for other downloads, such as other OS's, beta versions, or a Windowsinstaller version
Because PuTTY is just an enhanced Telnet and SSH program, it can beused instead of Windows Telnet anywhere that Telnet or SSH ismentioned, such as anywhere in the Wiki or the Unraid forums. It isused the same way as Windows Telnet, but because it supports themouse and arrow and function keys, it is much easier to use inprograms like MC (Midnight Commander, a dual pane commander-likefile manager). For an example, seeTransferring Files Within the Unraid Server.
Note for UnRAID v5 and v6 users: some have found that MidnightCommander looks funny, with accented letters (mostly a little 'a'with a hat) where line drawing characters should be. In your PuTTYconfiguration, go to Window → Translation and set Remote CharacterSet to something like UTF-8, then restart MC (thanks to Wody forthis tip, seethis).Wody has an additional PuTTY tip in this post.
PuTTY has a number of settings, but the defaults are usually fine.On the Window tab, I set Columns to 120, Rows to 60, andLines of scrollback to 2000. On the Translate tab, I setRemote character set to UTF-8.
First time SSH connection: set Connection type to SSH, thenenter your exact Unraid server name or IP (if static), then enter aSaved Session name (such as SSH Tower), then click theSave button. You are ready to click your session name andconnect! When you do this the first time, you will be informed aboutthe host key and whether you trust this server and want to cache itshost key. Click Yes and the host key will be saved, and youwon't be asked again. (This creates a secure connection that can'tbe spoofed.) Then a terminal session box will open up with a loginprompt. Enter root and press <Enter>, then enter yourpassword and the <Enter> key again. You are now in a Linuxterminal session at a command prompt! Type exit to quit.
First time Telnet connection: set Connection type to Telnet,then enter your exact Unraid server name or IP (if static), thenenter a Saved Session name (such as Telnet Tower), then clickthe Save button. You are ready to click your session name andconnect! When you do, a Telnet terminal session box will open upwith a login prompt. Enter root and press <Enter>, thenenter your password and the <Enter> key again. You are nowin a Linux terminal session at a command prompt! Type exit toquit.
On subsequent uses, just start PuTTY and click the session name youwant to use, and you will immediately be at the login prompt.
Note: Xshellis a commercial alternative to PuTTY, similar and possibly morepowerful, free for home use.
To open a Telnet session from Windows click Start → Run. In thedialog box type:
telnet tower
If you renamed your server from tower, enter that name instead.Also, you may enter the server's IP address instead of its name. Acommand window will open and you will be presented with a loginprompt. The login name is root, and by default, there is nopassword. To terminate the session, just close the window. You mayhave multiple Telnet sessions to the same server. You canselect/copy/paste the text from a Windows Telnet window byright-clicking the title bar. Notes regarding the command shell:
- commands and arguments are case-sensitive
- commands and arguments must be separated with spaces
- commands are executed after pressing the Enter key
Related links
- SSH vs Telnet -discussion of the merits of both, why many want Telnet disabled
- Google search of "how to secure your ssh server"
- Console - basics of console usage, pluscommands for drives, networking, system management, files andfolders, and system information
