Migration to Secure Shell

ITC will retire Telnet and FTP services on its shell servers for security-related reasons. For users without properly configured software, this means unsuccessful connections to pulua.hcc.hawaii.edu and ftp.hcc.hawaii.edu when accessing pine or network filespace. As the new Secure Shell (SSH) system replaces Telnet and FTP services, you will need to acquire SSH client software and configure them for normal pine mail and file transfer access.

The compatibility matrix below maps out SSH client software that are suitable as basic Telnet and FTP substitutes. All software linked to below are for educational purposes only. You may investigate commercial SSH client software if you require advanced functionality. However, the software you purchase will fall outside of ITC support scope.

SSH Migration Frequently Asked Questions

1. What will be different?
   
2. When will this take place?
3. So, if I'm on campus, does this mean I won't be able to Telnet or FTP to other servers on the Internet?
   
4. How about HCC Webmail? Is there gonna be any change in how I access it?
5. If I can't use Telnet or FTP to get to my HCC Unix account, what do I use in their place?
6. Where do I get such an SSH client?
   
7. If I can't install an SSH client on the computer I'm using because maybe it is not mine, what do I do?
   
8. I am used to typing 'telnet pulua.hcc.hawaii.edu' and 'ftp pulua.hcc.hawaii.edu' on my PC without having to install any programs. Is there something similar available to me?
   
9. What if I have trouble getting SSHAPP to work for me?
   
10. How can I quickly access Pine? Whenever I log into Pulua, I only access 'pine'. I don't do other Unix things.
    
11. What if I have trouble accessing PINEAPP?
    
12. I've installed the SSH client, now what do I do?
    
13. How do I get my SSH client to open up a session with HCC's SSH server?
    
14. How do I transfer files if I can't use FTP?
    
15. The web based SSH clients take a long time to download, is this normal?
    
16. I currently use SSH to access Pulua. How will I be affected by this transition?
    
17. What if I encounter problems, what do I do?
    
18. So why migrate to SSH anyway when traditional Telnet and FTP have been working fine for me all these years? If it ain't broke, don't fix it right? What are the benefits of SSH versus Telnet/FTP?
    

    What will be different?

    ITC will retire Telnet and FTP services on its shell servers.  For users without properly configured software, this means unsuccessful connections to pulua.hcc.hawaii.edu and ftp.hcc.hawaii.edu when accessing pine or network filespace. As the new Secure Shell (SSH) system replaces Telnet and FTP services, you will need to acquire SSH-capable client software and configure them for normal pine mail and file transfer access.
    

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    When will this take place?

    The Secure Shell system that HCC is migrating to is available now (please read the remainder of this FAQ and refer to the Compatibility Matrix below for specifics).

    However, we are ensuring a full transition in four phases before Spring 2003:

    December 23, 2002, 12:01 am Hawaii Standard Time – Telnet communications from outside the College to ITC servers will no longer be answered.

    December 30, 2002, 12:01 am Hawaii Standard Time – Telnet communications from within the College to ITC servers will no longer be answered.

    January 6, 2003 12:01 am Hawaii Standard Time – FTP communications from within the College to ITC servers will no longer be answered.

    January 13, 2003, 12:01 am Hawaii Standard Time – FTP communications from outside the College to ITC servers will no longer be answered.

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    So, if I'm on campus, does this mean I won't be able to Telnet or FTP to other servers on the Internet?
    No. We are not blocking Telnet or FTP traffic in either direction. We are also not disabling Telnet and FTP client software.  Your Telnet and FTP programs should still work fine.  Other than to pulua.hcc.hawaii.edu, your Telnet and FTP programs should continue to work with any server that still accepts Telnet or FTP connections.
    
    

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    How about HCC Webmail? Is there gonna be any change in how I access it?
    No. Although Webmail accesses mail delivered to your HCC Unix account, you continue to use a web browser for access instead of a shell server, making webmail independent of Telnet or FTP.
    

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    If I can't use Telnet or FTP to get to my HCC Unix account, what do I use in their place?
    You will have to install an SSH (secure shell) client that can both log into your shell account and do file transfers.  For uninterrupted service, we highly recommend getting your SSH client installed and configured before December 23, 2002. For those who log into their Unix account to primarily access email, we would like to remind you that HCC Webmail can be used in lieu of the "pine" program on pulua.
    
    

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    Where do I get such an SSH client?
    You can obtain clients for installation on your computer from the following sites as indicated on the compatibility matrix.
    
    

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    If I can't install an SSH client on the computer I'm using because maybe it is not mine, what do I do?
    You can log into your shell account (Telnet-like service) and perform file transfers (FTP-like service) by setting most modern web browsers to http://sshapp.hcc.hawaii.edu.
    
    

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    I am used to typing 'telnet pulua.hcc.hawaii.edu' and 'ftp pulua.hcc.hawaii.edu' on my PC without having to install any programs. Is there something similar available to me?
    You can log into your shell account (telnet-like service) and perform file transfers (FTP-like service) by setting your browser to http://sshapp.hcc.hawaii.edu .
    
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    What if I have trouble getting SSHAPP to work for me?
    Use a simplified version of the java applet by setting your browser to http://ssh.hcc.hawaii.edu Note that this simplified version only allows telnet-like connections. FTP-like operations are not possible with this version.
    
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    How can I quickly access Pine? Whenever I log into Pulua, I only access 'pine'. I don't do other Unix things.
    Set your browser to http://pineapp.hcc.hawaii.edu
    
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    What if I have trouble accessing PINEAPP?
    Use a simplified version of the java applet by setting your browser to http://pine.hcc.hawaii.edu
    
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    I've installed the SSH client, now what do I do?
    You need to have your SSH client initiate a new session with HCC's ssh server. Set your SSH client to connect to the server named ssh.hcc.hawaii.edu See the Installation/Usage Instructions column on the Compatibility Matrix .
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    How do I get my SSH client to open up a session with HCC's SSH server?
    See the Installation/Usage Instructions column on the Compatibility Matrix .
    

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    How do I transfer files if I can't use FTP?
    The exact method varies. It depends on which SSH client you chose to install. See the Compatibility Matrix for FTP/Fetch Replacement Software .
    
    

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    The web based SSH clients take a long time to download, is this normal?
    Keep in mind that the browser is trying to load half a diskettes worth of data before the client appears. This may take several minutes using a modem. Please read the scrollable message while waiting for the download to finish.
    

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    I currently use SSH to access Pulua. How will I be affected by this transition?
    You will need to set your client to connect to ssh.hcc.hawaii.edu instead of pulua.hcc.hawaii.edu. Older ssh clients may not successfully connect. See the troubleshooting section.
    
    

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    What if I encounter problems, what do I do?
    See the troubleshooting section.
    

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    So why migrate to SSH anyway when traditional Telnet and FTP have been working fine for me all these years? If it ain't broke, don't fix it right? What are the benefits of SSH versus Telnet/FTP?
    Telnet and FTP transmit sensitive data, including passwords, in plain readable text, which is readily intercepted by unknown, unauthorized parties. With unencrypted transmissions come the increased probability of network account thefts. Once your password has been compromised, your personal email as well as your personal data and data stored on shared systems are accessible by unauthorized parties, sometimes without you knowing it.

    ITC has become even more concerned about the integrity of the shared systems it makes available. This includes privacy and confidentiality of online resources. Major network security analysts are increasingly recommending encrypted communications. Many universities and colleges have begun requiring users to use SSH instead of Telnet/FTP.

    SSH clients work just like traditional Telnet and FTP clients. You can use SSH to do anything you might typically do with Telnet and FTP with the assurance that your password and other sensitive information are more difficult to "wiretap".

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