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Purpose
SSH allows a secure connection to remote servers and provides you with a command-line interface at that server. These are the instructions on establishing an SSH connection with the giant server from a Windows computer. Before you begin following these instructions, please confirm that you have access to the servers you are attempting to connect to.
Note: Giant cannot be accessed outside the university network. To connect to Giant from any other network, you must first connect to the VPN. Click here to find instructions for connecting to
UTD VPN in the Network section.
Installing SSH Application (PuTTY)
- Open PuTTY and download the appropriate version of PuTTY on your computer.
- The device will ask if you want to allow PuTTY Installer to make changes to your device. Click Yes.
- To launch PuTTY, search PuTTY on your windows search bar and double click.
Connecting to Giant Using PuTTY
- Launch an SSH client (e.g. PuTTY).
Note: To connect to a different server, replace Giant in the instructions below with the server's name to which you want to connect.
- On the configuration window enter:
- Host Name: giant.utdallas.edu
- Port: 22
- Connection Type: SSH
- Choose Open.
- If you get a PuTTY Security Alert message stating "the host key is not cached for this server," select Accept to trust the host server.
- Enter your NetID and Password when prompted.
Note: It will not display that your password is being entered, but your keystrokes will be tracked.
- Next, Authenticate your sign-in attempt with Duo.
- You should now be connected to Giant.
Connecting to SSH Using Windows PowerShell
The easiest way to use SSH is through PowerShell on Windows systems, instead of installing PuTTY. If you keep your Windows up to date, you should have SSH enabled by default. Please follow the instructions below to use PowerShell for SSH.
- Locate the Windows search bar and type Optional Features in System settings.
- Click View Features next to Add an optional feature.
- On the search bar, type OpenSSH Client and Install it.
- Before we move forward, go back to installed features and scroll down to make sure the OpenSSH client is installed.
- On the windows search bar, enter PowerShell and open the Windows PowerShell App.
- Type ssh <NetID>@PubSSH.utdallas.edu and press Enter.
- Input your password when prompted.
Note: It will not display your password while it is being entered, but your keystrokes will be tracked.
- Next, Authenticate your sign-in attempt with Duo.
- Write Exit and press Enter.
- Close the window once you are done.