Using PuTTY

This page provides instuctions on how to connect to USC servers using PuTTY, an SSH program (client) that allows you to initiate an SSH session with a host.

What You Will Need

• A computer with an Internet connection and an IP address that resolves to a hostname with forward and reverse DNS lookup. To find out whether your IP address resolves to a hostname, contact the ITS Customer Support Center at 213-740-5555. If you are not using an Internet connection provided by USC, contact your Internet service provider .
• PuTTY software, which can be found on the ITS software download page.
• An active USC computer account on one of the ITS time-sharing hosts (e.g., SCF, BCF, RCF, HSC) or any host with accounts managed by ITS (e.g. pollux, chem1). For additional information about your computer account, see the Computer Accounts page.

Connecting to a Host in PuTTY

After installing the PuTTY software, PuTTY creates shortcut items in your Start menu.

1. From the Start menu, go to All Programs. Choose Internet Tools, PuTTy and then select SSH Sessions.







2. Inside the USC SSH Sessions folder, you will see a list of hosts. Click the name of the host you wish to connect to.



Note: If you would like to connect to a non-USC host, or a USC host that is not listed, select SSH to Host.



3. The PuTTY window will open and the program will initiate a connection to the host you specified.



Note: If it is the first time your computer has connected using PuTTY, you will receive a message that the secure connection key for the specified host does not yet exist on your computer. If you trust the host you are connecting to, click Yes to save the key on your computer for future use when connecting to that host. If you would like to connect now but do not want to save the key, click No.






4. You will be prompted to log in. Type your username and press Enter. For security reasons, your password will not appear on the screen when you type it.


5. You will be prompted to enter your password. Type your password and press Enter.







6. Once you have entered your correct username and password, the UNIX prompt will display. At the prompt, enter the commands you would like to run. For more information about UNIX commands, see the UNIX Documentation page.

Disconnecting from a Host in PuTTY

To disconnect from a host, type logout at the UNIX prompt.

Advanced Tips

To access advanced features or to change settings, right-click the PuTTY Titlebar to view a menu of available features and settings.

• To copy information from the current PuTTY window, simply highlight the text you want to copy, and it will be copied to the clipboard.
• To paste information that has been highlighted in the current PuTTY window or has been copied to the clipboard, press the Shift and Insert keys simultaneously or right-click. The information will be pasted in at the cursor.
• To copy text from the current PuTTY window and paste it at the cursor's location, simply highlight the text and right-click.

Getting Help

To get help with PuTTY, click the Help menu and select an appropriate menu item.

For other questions about connecting to an ITS host using PuTTY, please contact the Customer Support Center at 213-740-5555 or email consult@usc.edu