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.