Bitvise SSH Server is a program that makes it easier to connect and manage your remote servers using the Secure Shell (ssh) protocol. This article describes how to install and configure Bitvise SSH on Windows, Linux, macOS or FreeBSD desktops/laptops.
The “how to use bitvise ssh client” is a tool that allows users to set up their own SSH server. This software can be used for remote access, file transfer, and more.
Do you find it difficult to set up a Secure Shell (SSH) server? You’re not alone, so don’t worry. SSH servers are often command-line oriented, making setup difficult. The Bitvise SSH Server might be the solution if you need to manage or transfer data to a Windows PC remotely.
You won’t have to type a single command to set up a Bitvise SSH Server. Everything can be done using the GUI! Continue reading to learn how to install and configure the Bitvise SSH Server on Windows in this article.
After everything is said and done, you’ll have established an SSH server that you can control remotely, transfer files to, and log on to from a single SSH client.
Prerequisites
If you want to follow along with this lesson, make sure you have the following things.
- To install the Bitvise SSH server, you’ll need a Windows machine. Any Windows desktop or server operating system will do. This tutorial makes use of a server with the following settings.
- Windows Server Datacenter 2019 is the operating system.
- Name of computer: xdc01
- Joined domains: No (standalone)
- xdc01.lzex.ml DNS Name
- 10.0.1.4, 52.186.86.26 (internal, public) IP Address
- winadmin1 is the Windows administrator account.
- Use a different Windows machine as the SSH client. Using one machine for both the SSH server and the SSH client should enough for testing reasons. The SSH client in this lesson is a Windows 10 PC.
Bitvise SSH Server Installation
Standard and personal versions of the Bitvise SSH server are available. During installation of the ordinary edition, you must choose a license. The personal edition, on the other hand, is free to use for personal and non-commercial purposes, but with certain restrictions.
Only the Bitvise SSH Server personal edition is covered in this tutorial. Before you proceed any further, you should be aware of the restrictions of the personal edition.
- If the server is not a domain controller, only local Windows accounts may log in (DC).
- Only the Everyone group may be set as the SSH users group.
- Only one virtual group may be created and configured.
- Only up to ten Windows accounts may be added.
- Only allows for the creation of ten virtual accounts.
- The number of concurrent connections is restricted to 15.
- The authentication mechanisms Kerberos and NTLM do not function.
Let’s get started with the installation now that you’re aware of the constraints. Bitvise SSH Server may be installed in two ways: interactive (GUI) and unattended. Which one you should pick is largely dependent on the deployment type.
Related: [Complete Guide] How to Set Up OpenSSH on a Windows Server
The Bitvise SSH Server Installer may be downloaded here.
As of this writing, the newest Bitvise SSH Server version is 8.49. Fortunately, the current versions always have the same installer file name and download URL, so you don’t have to worry about installing the incorrect version by downloading the wrong file.
Click this download link to get the Bitvise SSH Server installer and save it to C:BvSshServer-Inst.exe on the server where you’ll install Bitvise SSH Server.
Alternatively, launch PowerShell as an administrator and enter the instructions below to download the installation.
How to Use PowerShell as an Administrator
# Download URL for Bitvise SSH Server # Local download destination: https://dl.bitvise.com/BvSshServer-Inst.exe # Download the Bitvise SSH installer [System.Net.WebClient]::new $installFile = ‘c:BvSshServer-Inst.exe’ (). DownloadFile($url,$installFile)
Installation with Interactivity (GUI)
Follow the instructions below to install the Bitvise SSH server interactively.
1. Open File Explorer and double-click the BvSshServer-Inst.exe installer to begin the installation process.
2. In the pop-up installer window, tick the box next to I agree to the terms of this License Agreement. After that, choose Install new default instance. Click Install without changing the Location setting.
Creating a License Agreement and Installing Instances
3. Select the Bitvise SSH Server edition you want to install next. Click Personal Edition and then OK in this case.
Bitvise SSH server edition selection
4. Now type in your name and click OK, then wait for the installation to finish.
Filling Out Your Personal Information
5. The installer suggests restarting the server after installation to guarantee a fully functional Bitvise SSH Server. Click OK.
The Bitvise SSH Server installer suggests that you restart the server.
Finally, turn on the computer.
Installation Unattended (Command-Line)
Unattended installation is another option for installing the Bitvise SSH Server. If you want to install an instance or instances of the Bitvise SSH Server on one or more servers, this way is better.
Follow these steps to execute an unattended installation.
1. Run PowerShell as an administrator.
2. To begin the installation, type the command below and wait for it to finish.
# Invoke the Bitvise SSH Server installer. # The -defaultInstance parameter installs a default instance of Bitvise SSH Server. # The -acceptEULA parameter tells the installer that you access the license agreement. # The -activationCode=XXX parameter specifies the activation code to apply to the Bitvise SSH Server instance installation. ## The activation code below installs applies the Personal Edition license. ## Do not change the activation code below unless you have a standard edition license that you can use instead. & C:BvSshServer-Inst.exe -defaultInstance -acceptEULA -activationCode=000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000020000FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFCEA10000
Bitvise SSH Server Installation via command-line
3. Finally, use the command below to restart the machine.
Basic Bitvise SSH Server Settings Configuration
Even after installing the Bitvise SSH server, no one can access the server through SSH at this time. Furthermore, by default, only connections from the local subnet are allowed. Let’s begin by setting and adding users to the Bitvise SSH Server firewall rule.
To begin any management work, visit the Bitvise SSH Server Control Panel, which offers a graphical interface for configuring SSH server parameters.
1. On the server, click Start —> Bitvise SSH Server —> Bitvise SSH Server Control Panel.
The Bitvise SSH Server Control Panel is opened.
2. Click the Access simple settings link beneath the Server tab to open the settings editor.
The settings editor is now open.
3. Change the Open Windows Firewall value to Open port(s) to any computer under the Server settings tab, then click Next. By selecting this option, the Bitvise SSH Server rule in the Windows Firewall is instantly updated, allowing SSH connections from any source.
Bitvise SSH Server firewall rule update
How to Turn Off or Disable the Windows Firewall (All the Ways)
Creating a Windows User Account
You may utilize existing user accounts and permissions of local or domain accounts in Bitvise SSH Server with Windows accounts.
Follow these procedures to enable a Windows account to connect in to the Bitvise SSH Server:
- Click Add on the Windows accounts tab.
Creating a new user account in Windows
2. Next, enter your Windows account credentials and the default terminal shell.
- (a) Select the kind of Windows account (Local account or Domain account). Local account will be used in this example (assuming that the Bitvise SSH Server is a Personal Edition and on a non-DC machine).
- (a) In the Windows account name box, type a username; in this example, winadmin1 is a local Windows account.
- (c) Select PowerShell from the drop-down box labeled Shell access type. This option replaces the default command line with PowerShell as the default terminal shell.
- (d) Finally, to finish adding the new Windows account, click OK.
Entering the credentials for your Windows account
3. Return to the Windows accounts page and observe that there is now just one account shown.
You’ve now created a Windows user account with full access to the SSH server’s file system and password authentication.
To save your changes, click Next, and then go to the next phase to create a virtual account. Save adjustments instead of creating a virtual account if you don’t want to establish one right now.
Creating a new user account in Windows
How to Create a Virtual Account
Assume you wish to provide a user restricted access to the SSH server, limiting only file transfers to a certain directory. A virtual account will be suitable in this situation.
Virtual accounts, unlike Windows accounts (local or domain), exist solely in the Bitvise SSH Server settings. Follow the instructions below to make one.
1. Click Add on the Virtual accounts tab to enter a “New entry” form where you can configure the virtual account’s parameters.
How to Create a Virtual Account
2. Fill out the New entry form with the new virtual account details.
- (a) Choose a name for your Virtual account. The new virtual account name in this case is sshuser1.
- (a) A ****pop-up window shows when you click Virtual account password.
- (c) Type a new password in the pop-up box and click OK.
- (d) Return to the New entry form, accept the default values for the remaining fields, and click OK.
The BvShell shell access type is a Bitvise SSH Server-specific Bash-like shell. This shell limits the user’s access to the virtual file system root directory you designate to them on the SSH server.
Make that the default path exists in the Root directory. If not, you may proceed with establishing the virtual account and then the folder. The root directory in this case is C:SftpRoot.
Entering the details for the new virtual account
3. Return to the Virtual accounts tab and you’ll see a new virtual account named sshuser1. To commit all of the changes you’ve made to the SSH server settings so far, click Save changes.
You’ve now established a new virtual account that only has access to the C:SftpRoot folder and requires password authentication.
Keeping the modifications
Bitvise SSH Client Installation
You’ve undoubtedly used an SSH client previously, such as WinSCP or Putty, if you’re not new to SSH. There’s even an SSH addon for Chrome! To connect to the SSH server, there are a variety of SSH clients available.
The Ultimate Guide to the WinSCP GUI
However, the Bitvise SSH Client is the greatest client companion you can employ to fully use the Bitvise SSH Server’s features. The Bitvise SSH Client is available for personal and corporate usage.
Follow these steps to swiftly install the Bitvise SSH Client in a non-interactive manner.
1. On your SSH client machine, open PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Run the code below in PowerShell to install the Bitvise SSH Client without having to deal with it.
# Bitvise SSH CLient download URL $url = ‘https://dl.bitvise.com/BvSshClient-Inst.exe’ # Local download destination $installFile = ‘c:BvSshClient-Inst.exe’ # Download the Bitvise SSH installer [System.Net.WebClient]::new().DownloadFile($url,$installFile) # Install & $installFile -acceptEULA
Bitvise SSH Client Installation
3. After installing, launch the program by clicking on Start —> Bitvise SSH Client —> Bitvise SSH Client.
Bitvise SSH Client has launched.
Below is a screenshot of the Bitvise SSH Client in action.
The Bitvise SSH Client’s User Interface
Obtaining access to the Bitvise SSH Server
There are numerous methods to connect to the Bitvise SSH Server after installing the Bitvise SSH Client, depending on your desired function.
The Bitvise SSH Client has you covered whether you just want to execute commands (terminal), transfer files (SFTP), or connect in to a remote desktop (RDP).
Note: The examples and instructions use the Windows account you set under the “Creating a Windows User Account” section (step two) to interact with the SSH server from this point forward. This way, the instructions will be consistent and not switch between the Windows account and the virtual account.
To connect in to the SSH server, launch the Bitvise SSH Client window and follow the procedures below.
1. In the Host box of the Log-in tab, input the SSH server address. The Bitvise SSH server IP in this example is xdc01.lzex.ml.
2. In the Port box, enter the SSH server port number. If you don’t modify it, the default port number is 22.
3. In the Authentication section, enter the account’s username in the Username field. In this case, enter the Windows account you created on the SSH server before.
4. For the time being, change the Initial method to password since your SSH account only supports password authentication.
5. Finally, select Save profile as to save your client settings.
Adding the server and authentication information
6. Choose where you want to store the profile and give it a name. Name your profile in the [email protected] format for easier identification, then click Save.
The SSH client profile is saved.
7. Click Log in on the Bitvise SSH Client window.
Accessing the SSH server
When connecting to an SSH server, the client initially asks you to validate the SSH server host key. This step ensures that you are aware of the right SSH server host and are connected to it.
The host keys on the Bitvise SSH Server can be seen on the left, while the SSH keys verification prompt on the Bitvise SSH Client-side can be seen on the right.
Accept and Save after you’ve checked the right host keys.
SSH host keys verification
9. Type the account password into the password window and click OK.
Entering the password for the account
10. You’ll see that the window title has changed to [email protected]:port format now that you’ve signed in. To open a console window, click New terminal console.
Starting up the terminal
Finally, execute the command hostname to test the terminal.
SSH terminal evaluation
Transferring Documents
The Bitvise SSH Client has a GUI front-end feature that allows you to transfer files to or from the Bitvise SSH Server. To start Transferring Documents, follow these steps.
1. On the left-hand side of the Bitvise SSH Client window, click the New SFTP window button. This button opens a new window for file transmission.
2. Next, provide the locations of local and remote files:
- (a) On the left, in the Local files pane, browse or enter in the place where the files you wish to transfer are stored. The local path in this case is C:temp.
- (b) Browse or input the remote location in the Remote files window (right). The remote location in this case is /C/SftpRoot.
Choosing a nearby and distant place
3. Copy files from the local computer to the distant computer.
- (a) Choose which files to send. This sample transfers all of the local files.
- (c) Keep the Autostart option turned on. When you click the Upload button, this option instantly begins the file transmission.
- (c) Select Binary as the transfer mode. There will be no file transformations during the transmission in this mode.
- (d) Remove the old file rule and replace it with Ask if file exists. If the file already exists on the remote destination, this rule will urge you to take action.
- (e) Finally, to begin the file transfer, click Upload.
Transferring Documents via SFTP
Using SSH Tunneling to Login to Remote Desktop
You may connect in to the SSH server using RDP in addition to using an SSH terminal and SFTP file transfer. This functionality does not need any extra Bitvise SSH Server settings; it works right out of the box.
You simply need to make sure that the user account has port forwarding authorization, which Windows accounts have by default. If you forgot to add the permission while creating the Windows account, go to the picture below for a reminder.
Ensure that the user has permission to forward ports.
Follow these steps to connect to RDP through SSH tunneling.
1. To initiate a remote desktop connection, click the New Remote Desktop button on the Bitvise SSH Client window.
Getting the remote desktop to work
Following that, you should see a Remote Desktop Connection window similar to the one below. To proceed, click Connect.
Because the Bitvise SSH Client utilizes your given SSH credential automatically, there will be no credential prompt.
RDP Connection Setup
Tunneling RDP via SSH
Finally, log out of your RDP session.
Related: The Best Free Windows Remote Desktop Connection Managers
Authenticating using a Public Key
So far, all of your tests have just required password authentication. Although using complicated passwords might help safeguard your accounts, password authentication is the weakest and least secure option. But don’t be concerned. Additional options are available to address this potential security issue!
Note: The following steps presume you’re using your Windows account to connect into the Bitvise SSH Server.
A public key and a private key make up a key pair. The public key is uploaded to the SSH server, whereas the private key is presented to the server upon authentication by the SSH client. A key pair guarantees that only matching keys may pass server authentication, as the name indicates.
Follow these steps to create a key pair and establish your SSH client authentication.
1. Click the Client key management link in the Bitvise SSH Client. The Bitvise Client Key Management window is opened by clicking this link.
The crucial manager’s debut
2. To create a new keypair, click Generate New in the Bitvise Client Key Management box.
The Generate New button is pressed.
3. In the comments box of the Generate New Keypair pop-up window, enter a descriptive description for this new key, like the one below. Then, to save your modifications and produce a new keypair, click Generate.
Enter a passcode to create a password-protected key. However, in this case, leave the pass blank.
Creating a new pair of keys
4. Return to the Client Key Manager and look for the new key pair you created using Location Profile 1. Keep in mind that a key pair consists of both private and public keys, with the public key being stored on the SSH server.
To upload the public key to the Bitvise SSH Server, right-click on the key and choose Upload to Server.
The public key is uploaded to the SSH server.
You’ll notice a new item in the list after the upload, however the location will be on Server 1.
Viewing the key that was uploaded to the server
5. Return to the Bitvise SSH Client window by closing the Client Key Manager panel.
6. To log out of your current SSH session, return to the main window and click Log out.
SSH session is now logged out.
7. Finally, since the SSH user account already has a key pair, change the authentication method to utilize the key rather than the password.
- (a) Replace Initial with publickey. This forces the SSH client to utilize the key pair as an authentication mechanism.
- (b) Select the key pair you previously produced from the drop-down box for the Client key. Profile 1 is the client key in this case.
- (c) Finally, to access the SSH server, click Log in.
Using the public key authentication technique to log in
The SSH client utilized the public key authentication technique, and the log-in was successful, as seen in the logs below.
SSH client session log viewing
Conclusion
The Bitvise SSH Server is a reliable, secure, and easy-to-use SSH server. And the goal of this article was to show you how to get started with Bitvise SSH Server by installing and configuring the most important SSH server components.
How do you think the Bitvise SSH Server compares to other SSH servers you’ve set up? Is this a better, more balanced option, or does it fall short? Please let us know!
Bitvise SSH Server is a free, secure and easy-to-use SSH server. It offers a lot of features such as port forwarding, SFTP, SCP, X11 forwarding and more. This tutorial will show you how to set up your own Bitvise SSH Server on Windows. Reference: bitvise ssh server activation code.
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