Re: [cobalt-users] InterBase

[Bruce Timberlake <Bruce.Timberlake@xxxxxxx>]

Tom Thomas wrote:
> 
> Bruce I cannot find in the manual how to start a shell session, perhaps I
> should enable telnet to do so but the manual advises against that as it is
> so insecure, is there ssh?

Telnet is shipped on the box, and is the "official" way to connect to the
server for a shell session on all Sun Cobalt products except the new
RaQ550, which has SSH _and_ telnet preconfigured on the server.

Telnet is insecure because it transmits all session data, including
usernames and passwords, in clear text. SSH encrypts everything in
comparison.  There is a higher chance of someone intercepting your password
if you use telnet, but in reality, the chances of someone "on the 'net"
watching the wire just as your password etc goes flying by is _very_
small.  The major concern would be someone who's more focused on the number
of servers they are scanning, namely your hosting company, rather than
tapping the entire pipe.

NOTE TO FLAMERS: I AM NOT ADVOCATING TELNET. Just saying that it is still
relatively unlikely for you to get "hacked" just because you use telnet to
access your server.  There are many people who use SSH to do shell stuff,
but still use "insecure" FTP to transfer all their files. Doh! - Same
problem as telnet there...  but IMO, you're more likely to get hacked due
to an exploit for a library or application on the server than you are just
by using telnet for some occasional shell sessions.

You can install SSH on your server by grabbing the appropriate PKG from
http://pkgmaster.com. Note - this is not an official or supported addition
to your server. Use at your own risk.

--
Bruce Timberlake
Sun Cobalt Technology Engineer
Sun Microsystems, Inc.

E: bruce.timberlake@xxxxxxx
T: 877-718-3569 / x69369