Enabling the Secure Shell (SSH)

This recipe describes how to enable the Secure Shell (SSH) service in pfSense.

Getting ready

SSH is a networking protocol that allows encrypted communication between two devices. Enabling SSH allows secure access to the pfSense console remotely, just as if you were sitting in front of the physical console.

How to do it...

  1. Browse to System | Advanced | Secure Shell.
  2. Check Enable Secure Shell.
  3. You will be prompted for credentials when you connect (use the same username and password as the webGUI), but checking Disable password login for Secure Shell will allow you to use RSA keys instead. See the next recipe for details.
  4. Leave the SSH port blank to use the default port:
  5. Save the changes and the SSH service will be started. ...

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