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Tunneling CVS

Hi

I will work from Linux and Windows and access a Linux host with SSH server on. Also there is an CVS server on it. WOuld it be possible to configure the server and clients so that I can access it through SSH with freeware products? How and with what?

john-at-7fff

Absolutely.

This gets fairly complicated fast. You will need to do three things: get an ssh client on Windows; set up public/private keys so that you can ssh into the Linux box without having to enter your password everytime; and then you would either have to use the raw cvs client, or a front-end such as WinCVS (http://www.wincvs.org/) which would require additional configuration.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Install Cygwin (http://www.cygwin.com/) on the Windows machine. During the install, you would need to ensure that you get the openssh support. This will get you ssh on Windows.

2. Set up your private/public key combination. It would look something like the following:

In this scenario, 192.168.1.100 is the remote (Linux) system, and yourid
is the username there.

We are creating the private key there.

(a) On the Windows system, enter

      ssh yourid@192.168.1.100

you will get a prompt asking about continuing to connect. Say yes.

Enter your password

(b) on the remote system, type

      (You will see a dot before ssh in a number of places -- that's one word, .ssh)

      ssh-keygen -t rsa
            When asked about the directory location, take the default (return)
            Press return twice (no passphrase -- important for CVS)
      cp .ssh/id_rsa.pub .ssh/authorized_keys
      logout

(b) Now you are back at your Windows computer's DOS prompt. Enter the following:

      bash
      cd
      scp yourid@192.168.1.100:.ssh/id_rsa .ssh/id_rsa

You will be prompted for your password. Enter it.

(c) Now the best part:

      Exit from bash with control D
      ssh yourid@192.168.1.100

You should get in without being prompted by a password.

If you get that far, I can tell you about using CVS via this means.

mdoland

ASKER

I intend to use wincvs.

john-at-7fff

OK -- Well, you will still need to get ssh going on your Windows machine. WinCVS will use ssh to communicate w/ your Linux box.

Installing Cygwin also means that you will have a suite of Linux-style tools on your Windows machine, which in the long run will make you very happy.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

john-at-7fff

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