Using AutoSSH and Screen with an Ubuntu Server to Keep SSH Connections Alive
If you have ever experienced poor internet connectivity while trying to maintain an SSH session with a remote Ubuntu server, you know how frustrating it can be to keep the connection alive. This article will guide you through using two powerful tools, AutoSSH and Screen, to ensure that your SSH sessions remain active even when your internet connection drops.
What is AutoSSH?
AutoSSH is a tool that automatically reconnects SSH sessions when the connection is lost due to network issues. It is a wrapper script that keeps an SSH session active by monitoring the connection and restarting it if necessary. AutoSSH is particularly useful when working with remote servers over unreliable networks.
What is Screen?
Screen is a terminal multiplexer that allows you to manage multiple terminal sessions within a single window. It enables you to detach a session from your terminal and reattach it later, making it an ideal companion for AutoSSH. With Screen, you can keep your SSH sessions alive even when you close your terminal or disconnect from the network.
How to Install AutoSSH and Screen on Ubuntu Server
To install AutoSSH and Screen on an Ubuntu server, use the following commands:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install autossh
sudo apt-get install screen
How to Use AutoSSH and Screen Together
To use AutoSSH and Screen together, follow these steps:
- Start a new Screen session:
screen -S mysession
- Start an AutoSSH session:
autossh -M 20000 -f -N -R 2222:localhost:22 myuser@myremotehost
Replace mysession with a name for your Screen session, myuser with your username, and myremotehost with the hostname or IP address of the remote server. The -M 20000 option specifies the monitor port, and the -R 2222:localhost:22 option sets up a remote port forwarding from the remote server to your local machine.
- Detach from the Screen session:
Ctrl-a d
You can now safely close your terminal or disconnect from the network. To reattach to the Screen session, use the following command:
screen -r mysession
Applications and Significance
Using AutoSSH and Screen together is a powerful technique for maintaining SSH sessions over unreliable networks. This approach is particularly useful for developers, system administrators, and DevOps professionals who need to manage remote servers in various environments, including cloud infrastructure, data centers, and remote offices.
In this article, we have discussed how to use AutoSSH and Screen together to keep SSH connections alive on an Ubuntu server. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your SSH sessions remain active even when your internet connection is unstable or intermittent.