10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet
1. What does the product Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet do?
The acronym SSH stands for secure shell. A shell is another name for a command interpreter where a user can cause an operating system such as Unix, Linux, or Windows to perform actions such as copying a file or starting an application. The SSH protocol is a defined Internet standard for encrypting information being sent to or received from the shell program running on the server. Aton Connect implements the client side of the SSH protocol that runs on your phone and interacts with the SSH protected shell program on the server. The Aton Connect product also implements a terminal emulation such as VT220 or VT100 to make visible the data being exchanged over the SSH protocol. The unsecured Telnet protocol is also included in our product as an alternative to SSH.
2. How do I configure a host logon session?
To use Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet, you need to configure at least one host session. The session is a description of how to contact and negotiate the initial logon to the server. To start the configuration process, tap on the “New” button on the bottom left or choose “New” from the “Session Editor” main menu item. The two essential items for you to enter are the Session Name (your choice) on the Session tab, and the host name or IP address on the “Host” tab. Other Session options can be changed as needed for a particular host, as instructed by the host server owner.
3. How do I login to my server using Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet?
You can use the traditional username and password method or a public/private key method for logging into an SSH protected server. Which one of these methods are available to you is determined by the configuration of the server. Contact the owner of the server for more information.
4. How can I save the username on the phone for the traditional username and password login method?
You can save the username (Logon ID) on the “Authentication” tab of the Session Editor of Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet. You will then only be asked for the password on the next login attempt. The password is always required to be entered at login.
5. How do I use public/private keys with Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet?
You can import an existing public/private key set from another source, such as a laptop or workstation. You can also generate a new public/private key pair right on your phone using Aton Connect and place the public key on your server after you login using the username/password method. Once a public/private key pair is placed into the My Documents folder of your phone, you can identify the key pair file on the “Authentication” tab of the Session Editor of Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet.
6. How do I import a public/private key pair into my phone for use by Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet?
The most secure way is to copy the key pair file to the My Documents folder of the Windows Mobile phone when connected to your laptop or workstation via the USB cable. Once connected by USB and recognized by ActiveSync (Windows XP) or Mobile Device Center (Vista or Windows 7), you can copy the key pair file directly to the My Documents folder of the phone by using Windows Explorer.
A less secure method is to email the key pair file as text or as an attachment to your phone. After opening the email message on the phone, you can use the “Tap ‘n Hold” feature to copy the key pair text into the clipboard on the phone. You can then use “Tap ‘n Hold” again to paste the text into the SSH Key Generator “Import” screen of Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet. You can then store the imported key pair file into the phone file system for reference by Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet the next time you log into your server.
7. How do I generate a public/private key pair in Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet?
The main menu of Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet contains a selection for “SSH Key Generator”. This selection brings up a comprehensive tool that can import, generate, edit, and export public/private key pair files in all of the commonly used key pair file formats. To generate a key, select the “Generate” tab, verify the key type and length, and tap on the “Generate New SSH Key Pair” button. This starts the generation process. First the process collects randomizing information which you assist by rubbing your stylus over the upper part of the screen.
Once this part of the process is complete, the progress bar resets and the actual key generation begins. The progress bar will advance erratically and after less than a minute, the new key is completely generated and the dialog automatically switches to the “Modify” tab. In the Modify display, you can adjust the Key Comment and enter the Passphrase. Entering a passphrase is highly recommended to protect the key usage by someone else using your phone. You will be asked for this passphrase on each login to your server.
When you have finished editing your new key pair, then export it to the phone’s “My Documents” folder by using the “Export” tab for reference by Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet the next time you log into your server.
8. How do I manage host keys?
Host keys are the public portion of the key pair that identifies the server when you attempt to log in. The first time you log into a server, you will be presented with a message box asking you to confirm the host key fingerprint, as a means to ensure that a “man in the middle” security breach is not in progress. If you agree that the host key fingerprint is valid, you can answer the message box in a way that causes the public host key to be stored in the phone, and the next time you log into that server, you will not be asked to confirm the host. In the rare event the host public key changes, you will need to delete the host key stored on the phone by using the “Host Key Manger” selection on the main menu of Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet.
9. How do I adjust my viewing experience after logging in?
Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet provides several features to customize your session viewing experience. You can select font face and size as well as the background and font colors used by choosing the “Change Display Font” item from the session screen menu. You can select or disable full screen mode (top status bar present or absent) by using the second button from the right on the bottom status bar. You can also rotate the entire screen display between portrait and landscape modes by using the rightmost button on the bottom status bar.
10. Can I change a physical or soft keyboard key to one that I use frequently?
Yes. One great feature of Aton Connect for SSH, VT220, Telnet is the keyboard macro facility. To use this, choose “Keyboard Macros” on either the main or session screens. Press the physical or soft keyboard key you wish to remap. You will then see a description of what key you pressed, along with the current symbol this key is mapped to. Finally choose the symbol from the keyboard the first key is to be mapped. When you then press Done, the mapping will be recorded into the phone for the next use of the keyboard.
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