UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

INTRODUCTION:

I'm taking a LINUX class at school and I would like to learn more about logging into another computer remotely using the secure shell (ssh). I would like to learn to do this with the computers in our lab as a self initiative so I can eventually share files between my own computers.

PROBLEMS I'M HAVING:

I'm familiar with operating inside terminal on my macbook and have researched using the (ssh) from a mac to a mac. However, the computers at school are slightly different and it's hard knowing what specifics to research because of these differences.

SPECIFICS OF THE COMPUTERS IN THE LAB @ SCHOOL

There are 12 hp computers in the lab. The computers are setup differently than other computers on campus specifically for the purposes of this class. We all created a profile and installed "slackware" on them to setup the virtual machine in using the LINUX box. When terminal starts up we are in the "bash".

I would love to just do this from my own mac book since I use it for the class but I'm not familiar with what I would have to do to access those certain computers in the lab. I don't think that would be a good idea either. Therefore, I thought it may be easier just using the computers in the lab.

I realize this can be an extensive troubleshooting process and I don't expect anyone to write out every step. Errors will occur I'm sure so I would much rather do this a better way so I actually learn what I'm doing. Can someone help me get started in the right direction. Any documentation or resources would be appreciated.

Using SSH is fairly easy. You just have to have IP connectivity between the boxes. To check if that is the case, you should get IP address from the target machine (for example by executing ifconfig -a or ip a on it), then using ping <TARGET_IP>. If the command will show packets being received, then you can move to running: ssh <USERNAME>@<TARGET_IP>.

Do I have to be on the target computer to run that command and find it's IP and username or can I do all of it from the computer I'll be on? What is the command in looking up the username?

You have to be on the target machine. For username/password I'd ask whoever installed that box.

Executing the steps you mentioned, could I do this from my macbook with another computer in the lab as the "target" or is this where it starts getting more difficult.

Which step do you want to execute on your Macbook? If the one checking IP address, then it won't make sense as it will show the IP of your Macbook and not the target machine. You have to get the IP of the target machine somehow. Either get it by executing commands I provided there or ask whoever installed the machine what IP did he/she set there.

When i'm on the target machine I do a whoami and it shows root. I do a hostname and it shows Alien. Which one do I use?

ip a

Code:

inet 10.25.12.204/24 brd 10.25.12.255 schope global etho

Which one of these do I use for the name@ipaddress.

I've tried the follwoing

Code:

ssh root@10.25.12.255

I get the following error

Code:

ssh: connect to host 10.25.12.255 port 22: Network is unreachable

Any ideas?