Enable SSH on Linux, Mac and Windows Devices

This document explains how to enable SSH on various operating systems for Faveo Network Discovery, allowing data collection from these devices.

1. Linux

a. For Debian-based Systems

  1. Install OpenSSH Server: 
    sudo apt install openssh-server
sudo systemctl enable ssh
sudo systemctl start ssh
  2. Enable SSH in the Firewall (if the firewall is enabled): 
    sudo ufw allow ssh
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status
  3. Check if OpenSSH Server` is Installed: 
    sudo dpkg -l | grep openssh-server
sudo apt list --installed | grep openssh-server
systemctl status ssh

b. For RHEL-based Systems

  1. Install OpenSSH Server: 
    sudo yum install openssh-server
sudo systemctl enable sshd
sudo systemctl start sshd
  2. Enable SSH in the Firewall (if the firewall is enabled): 
    sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --zone=public --add-service=ssh
sudo firewall-cmd --reload
  3. Check if OpenSSH Server is Installed:
    • To verify if openssh-server is installed and running, use:
systemctl status sshd
rpm -qa | grep openssh-server

2. Mac

Method 1: Enable SSH via System Preferences

  1. Open System Settings: Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner, and select System Settings (or System Preferences in older macOS versions).

  2. Go to Sharing: In System Settings, scroll down and click General, then select Sharing. On older macOS versions, just click Sharing.

  3. Enable Remote Login:

  • In the Sharing section, look for Remote Login.

  • Check the box next to Remote Login to enable SSH.

  1. Allow Access: Choose whether to allow access for All users or only specific users.

Method 2: Enable SSH via Terminal

  1. Open Terminal: Launch the Terminal app (Applications > Utilities).

  2. Run the following command to enable SSH 
    sudo systemsetup -setremotelogin on
  3. Verify SSH is enabled: 
    sudo systemsetup -getremotelogin

    If it returns Remote Login: On, SSH is enabled.

Method 3: Check SSH Status

To check if the SSH service is running:

sudo launchctl list | grep ssh

Once enabled, you can SSH into your Mac using:

ssh your_username@your_mac_ip_address

3. Windows

Method 1: Enable SSH via PowerShell

  1. Check if OpenSSH is Installed:

Open PowerShell with administrative privileges and run:

Get-WindowsCapability -Online | Where-Object Name -like 'OpenSSH*'
  1. Install OpenSSH Server (if not present): 
    Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Server~~~~0.0.1.0
  2. Start the SSH Server:

To start the SSH server (sshd), run:

Start-Service sshd
  1. Check SSH Service Status: 
    Get-Service sshd
  2. Enable SSH at Startup: 
    Set-Service -Name sshd -StartupType 'Automatic'
  3. Check Firewall Rules:

Ensure that the firewall allows SSH traffic:

Get-NetFirewallRule -Name *ssh*
  1. Add a Firewall Rule (if needed): 
    New-NetFirewallRule -Name 'OpenSSH-Server-In-TCP' -DisplayName 'OpenSSH Server (sshd)' -Enabled True -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -Action Allow -LocalPort 22

Once enabled, you can use SSH from other devices using the following command:

ssh your_username@your_windows_ip_address

Updated: