Windows Terminal Access

Windows users can connect to Firebird using either PuTTY or MobaXterm. Unlike on Mac / Linux, the processes of both generating SSH keys and connecting to a remote system are integrated within a single program. Follow the instructions below to install either package, set up a key pair, and connect to Firebird.

PuTTY

PuTTY is a basic yet flexible program regularly used to interact with remote systems. Download PuTTY and install.

Setting up a key pair

Start the PuTTYgen program

• Under Parameters → Type of key to generate → select EdDSA
• Under Actions → Generate a public/private key pair → Click the "Generate" button
• Follow the instructions
• Under Actions → Save the generated key → Click "Save private key"
• Save private key file in a folder of your choosing.  Set filename to: "id_ed25519.ppk"
• Copy the contents of the "Public key for Pasting into OpenSSH authorized_keys file" text box (this is your public key; you should save this somewhere, or you can also click the “Save public key” button and save it as “id_ed25519.pub”)
• Go to the Firebird Account Request page and paste the public key text into the box provided.

Configuring PuTTY

Start the PuTTY program and configure as follows:

• Session → Hostname → Enter "firebird.swarthmore.edu" (don't include the quotes)
• Session → Connection type → check "SSH"
• Connection → Data → Auto-login username → Enter your Firebird username (it will follow the pattern of username-swat).  Usernames are case sensitive, so use all lowercase letters.
• Connection → SSH → Auth → select the "id_ed25519.ppk" file created in the section above.
• Session → Saved sessions → enter "Firebird" in the text box and click "Save"

The configuration only needs to be done once.  In the future, the configuring can be loaded by starting PuTTY, selecting Session → Saved sessions, selecting "Firebird" and clicking "Load"

Connecting to Firebird with PuTTY

Connect to Firebird by clicking on "Open" button at the bottom of the window.

MobaXterm

MobaXterm is a powerful program that integrates a shell, file manager, X11 server, and additional utilities in one package. Download and install MobaXterm (the free Home Edition is sufficient).

Setting up a key pair

• Tools → MobaKeyGen (SSH key generator)
• Under Parameters → Type of key to generate → select EdDSA
• Generate (follow the instructions to move your mouse randomly in the specified area)
• Save private key → save the private key file in a folder of your choosing, and set the filename to id_ed25519.ppk
• Save public key → save the public key in a folder of your choosing so you have a backup of it if needed later (generally you would save this as id_ed25519.pub.
• Copy the entire contents in the text box under "Public key for pasting into OpenSSH server"
• Go to the Firebird Account Request page and paste the public key text into the box provided.

Configuring MobaXterm

• Session → SSH → Remote host →  enter firebird.swarthmore.edu
• Check Specify username → enter your Firebird username (in the format of username-swat, and case-sensitive, use all lowercase letters)
• Under Advanced SSH settings → check Use private key → click the file icon and navigate to the private key file (id_ed25519.ppk) you generated above
• Click OK to save the session settings

Connecting to Firebird with MobaXterm

The session will be saved in a list on the left side of the window; double-click on firebird.swarthmore.edu to connect.

Which program should I use?

Both PuTTY and MobaXterm provide similar functionality. PuTTY is lighter-weight, whereas MobaXterm comes with many additional utilities and capabilities that most users won't need. On the other hand, MobaXterm comes with a built-in X11 server, so if you intend to use graphical applications, it is an excellent all-in-one solution, plus it has other useful features, such as an integrated SFTP file manager, making it straightforward to upload and download files to/from Firebird. In the end, it is mostly personal preference.