putty

putty [options] [user@]hostname

-ssh
    Force use of SSH protocol.

-telnet
    Force use of Telnet protocol.

-rlogin
    Force use of Rlogin protocol.

-raw
    Force use of raw socket connection.

-serial
    Force use of serial connection.

-P port
    Specify the port number to connect to.

-l username
    Specify the username for login.

-pw password
    Specify the password for authentication (use with caution!).

-load session
    Load a saved session configuration.

user@hostname
    Connect to a remote host using the specified username and hostname/IP address.

PuTTY is a free and open-source terminal emulator, serial console and network file transfer application. It supports several network protocols, including SCP, SSH, Telnet, rlogin, and raw socket connection. While primarily used on Windows, ports are available for other operating systems. It's commonly used to securely connect to remote servers, configure network devices, and access Linux systems from a Windows environment. PuTTY offers a graphical interface for configuration, allowing users to specify the connection type, hostname/IP address, port, and various SSH options. It's highly customizable, enabling users to adjust font settings, color schemes, terminal behavior, and SSH key management. PuTTY is a reliable tool for system administrators, developers, and anyone needing secure remote access to servers and network devices.

The client can be also used from Linux console via command line.

Storing passwords directly in command-line arguments is insecure. It's highly recommended to use key-based authentication with SSH for enhanced security. Also, the `-pw` option is generally discouraged.

While PuTTY can be used via command line, it's primarily known for its graphical interface, which provides an easy-to-use configuration panel for setting up connections.

PuTTYgen is a key generator tool to create SSH private/public key pairs for authentication. This provides a safer way to authenticate than simple password authentication.

Always use strong passwords and consider key-based authentication for enhanced security. Keep PuTTY updated to the latest version to benefit from security patches.

PuTTY was originally written by Simon Tatham in 1999 for Windows. It has been actively developed and maintained ever since. Over the years, it has become one of the most popular SSH clients, widely used by system administrators and developers for remote access to servers and network devices. Ports have been created to other operating systems like Linux. Its popularity stems from its small size, ease of use, and rich feature set. It started as a free terminal emulator, allowing windows users to access remote hosts and servers without the need for a different operating system.

ssh(1), telnet(1), scp(1), ssh-keygen(1)