Windows SSH Servers?

Question

I was wondering what people use as an SSHd server on Windows? I've decided that I want to be able to log in using SSH on my Windows computers but I don't want to use Linux full-time. What are my options, besides Cygwin (which I know of)? I've looked into some other server software but I don't know which are reliable and it's not easy to find reviews of some of them. Thanks!

Answer 1

Take a look at freeSSHd if you want to avoid cygwin. I don't really have any problems with it. Their freeFTPd tool is pretty nice as well.

Screenshots:

Answer 2

I use copSSH; it's based on OpenSSH.

Use practices described here and here to lock it down.

I like the Bitvise Tunnelier client. In my experience, it has been better than putty (especially the auto-reconnect option).

Answer 3

I use OpenSSH. It does use parts form cygwin, but it installes what it needs & it's much smaller than a full cywin install. It's fairly easy to set it up as a service on Windows (XP at least) - no experience running it on Vista or Windows 7.

Answer 4

See also these questions:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/18292/what-are-some-good-ssh-servers-for-windows

http://serverfault.com/questions/8411/what-is-a-good-ssh-server-to-use-on-windows

Answer 5

I used to use OpenSSH but have switched to using KpyM (http://www.kpym.com) with some code modifications for my own purposes. Its a lot more lightweight than freesshd and can run as a service so good for networks where you just want to have it running all the time without a notification tray icon. plus for deployments you can use the /SILENT flag to install with the defaults.

Answer 6

Cygwin OpenSSH.

Steps:

1. Install Cygwin:
   • Select "OpenSSH" and "nano" (or "vim")
2. Start Cygwin terminal (console) as (Local not Domain) Administrator
3. $ ssh_config
4. $ net start sshd

Add yourself (simplest):

1. $ ssh-user-config (say YES to the first one only is enough)
2. $ ssh my_username@hostname_with_cygwin_openssh from another machine

Adding other users:

1. Create a new Windows user 'john'
2. Should also log in once as that user
3. $ mkpasswd from Cygwin to update /etc/passwd
4. $ nano /home/john/.ssh/authorized_keys and paste your public SSH key
5. You can now login as 'john' with your private SSH key

If you have issues, check /var/log/sshd.log