SSH: How I Connect to Remote Servers

Why I Use SSH

SSH is how I control another machine from my terminal. I use it to manage servers, copy files, and run commands on remote systems without sitting in front of them.

For Windows remote desktop you use RDP. For Linux, SSH is the standard.

How SSH Works (Short Version)

• Client — on your laptop (where you type)
• Server — on the remote machine (what you connect to)

You run ssh user@ip, enter your password (or use a key), and you get a shell on the remote box.

Install the SSH Client

Check if you already have it:

ssh

If you see usage info, you’re set. If not:

Ubuntu:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install openssh-client

Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S openssh

Install the SSH Server

The machine you want to connect to needs the server package.

On that remote machine, test:

ssh localhost

If it fails, install the server:

Ubuntu:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install openssh-server

Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S openssh
sudo systemctl enable --now sshd

Check it’s running:

sudo systemctl status sshd

Ubuntu does not ship with the SSH server installed — you have to add it yourself.

Connect

From your local machine:

ssh your_username@host_ip_address

First time you connect, it asks you to trust the server’s fingerprint. Type yes.

Real Example From My Setup

I sometimes SSH from my Arch machine to an Ubuntu VM:

ssh ubuntu@192.168.1.80

And the other way:

ssh ayysaad@192.168.1.20

Swap the username and IP for your own setup.

Quick Reference