How do I set up SSH access using the Aplus.Net Control Panel and Secure CRT?

Answer by: Stuart Pierce, Aplus.Net Knowledge Base Support

Here is how you can setup SSH access using SecureCRT 5.0:

1. Start by logging into your Aplus.Net Control Panel by going to http://cp.aplus.net, using your Registration Number and Customer Password.
2. Select Web Hosting from the top navigation bar.
3. Next, select Hosted Domains and click on Manage Hosted Domains.
4. Click on your utility domain (Example: yourftpusername.web.aplus.net)
5. Next, click on the Secure Shell icon.
6. If you have already had the SSH enabled on your account, you will be prompted to Add a Public key. If you do not have SSH enabled, click here.
7. Open up Secure CRT.
8. Select File, and then Connect. This will open up the Connect window.
9. Click the New Session icon.  This will open up a New Session Wizard dialogue.
1. Set Protocol to SSH2 and click Next.
2. Set Hostname to your domain name (i.e. yourdomainname.com).
3. Set Port to 22.
4. Set Username to your main FTP username and click Next.
5. Set a Name for this connection and click Finnish.
10. Now, right-click on your new connection name and select Properties.
11. Go to Connection >> SSH2.
12. Select PublicKey from the Authentication box and click on Properties.
13. Select the Use session public key setting radio button.
14. Then, click the Create Identity File button and follow the Key Generation Wizard.
15. For Key Type select RSA. Click Next.   
16. For Passphrase, enter a unique password for your shell.  For comment, specify a valid e-mail address.
17. Make sure the Key Length in Bits is set to 1024.
18. Move the mouse to generate your key. Click Next when done.
19. Choose location for the Identity file on your local computer and click Finnish.
20. Do not choose to upload the key, if prompted.
21. Click OK twice to close the Properties windows.
22. Now, open the identity.pub file using Notepad or Simple Text. Make sure Word Wrap is turned off.
23. Edit the key (without the Subject, Comment and ModBitSize lines) so that it fits on one long continuous line.
24. Add the following text to the beginning of the public key line: ssh-rsa and separated it with one interval from the rest of the public key line.
25. Copy the entire key line.
26. Now, go back to the Secure Shell tool in the Control Panel, and paste the entire key into the Add a public key field.
27. If your key is formatted correctly, you will receive a confirmation message and the SSH server will come online. If your key is not formatted correctly, you will be notified; you will then have to re-create your public and private keys to have them conform to the server’s template.
28. Now, open Secure CRT and connect to your SSH Server using your connection settings and passphrase.

NOTE:

If you have not yet made a request for the Aplus.Net Support Department to enable the SSH on your account:

Please fax a copy of your Photo ID or Drivers License to (661) 752-7775. Include also your Registration Number and your Challenge Answer with Aplus.Net.
You will need to wait until we enable the SSH on your account before continuing to configure your SSH.

For instructions on configuring the SSH access using PuTTY, click here.