How to use the command 'mssh' (with examples)

mssh is a GTK+ based SSH client that enables users to interact with multiple SSH servers simultaneously with a single command. It streamlines the process of managing multiple remote servers by allowing concurrent connections, saving valuable time and enhancing productivity for system administrators, developers, and IT professionals. More details about this command can be found at manned.org .

Use Case 1: Open a new window and connect to multiple SSH servers

Code:

mssh user@host1 user@host2

Motivation:

Imagine a scenario where you’re managing a cluster of servers that require regular monitoring or updates. Logging into each server one by one can be tedious and time-consuming, especially when updates necessitate simultaneous actions across multiple machines. This use case showcases how mssh can streamline the process, allowing a user to open concurrent SSH sessions to multiple servers in a separate window, thereby facilitating efficient multitasking and better workflow management.

Explanation:

• mssh: This is the command being executed, indicating the use of mssh to manage multiple SSH connections.
• user@host1: This specifies connecting over SSH to host1 using the specified username, user. The format user@host is a standard way to denote which user account should be used for the SSH connection on the particular host.
• user@host2: Similarly, this indicates a connection to host2 using the same or different user credentials. You can specify as many user@host combinations as needed for connections.

Example output:

Upon executing the command, a new window should open with multiple tabs or sections (depending on the mssh client version and configuration), each representing an active SSH session to the specified hosts. Each session will display the terminal prompt of the user logged into the respective servers.

Connecting to user@host1...
Connecting to user@host2...
Connection established to user@host1
Connection established to user@host2

Use Case 2: Open a new window and connect to a group of servers predefined in ~/.mssh_clusters

Code:

mssh --alias alias_name

Motivation:

In a professional setting, IT administrators often deal with pre-configured clusters of servers that must be accessed collectively, whether for maintenance tasks or deploying updates. Managing individual server connections manually can become complex and error-prone. By using predefined aliases, one can simplify this process. This ensures a more organized and reusable setup, promoting efficiency especially when routinely managing specific clusters.

Explanation:

• mssh: Again, this refers to the multiserver-capable SSH client in use.
• --alias: This option tells mssh to look for a predefined set of configurations in the ~/.mssh_clusters file that correspond to the specified alias. It abstracts away the need to specify each server’s credentials individually every time you connect.
• alias_name: Represents a specific grouping of servers configured under this alias within the ~/.mssh_clusters file. This is a user-defined identifier that groups multiple servers together for easier access.

Example output:

Executing this command will open a new window with SSH connections to all servers defined under alias_name in the cluster configuration file. This results in a more organized view, keeping communication channels open with multiple server entities efficiently.

Fetching server list for alias 'alias_name'...
Connecting to user@hostA...
Connecting to user@hostB...
Connection established to user@hostA
Connection established to user@hostB

Conclusion:

Utilizing mssh allows IT and development teams to manage multiple server connections more fluidly. By facilitating concurrent SSH sessions and supporting predefined server clusters, it enhances productivity and organization when interacting with complex server environments. This GTK+ based client proves to be a valuable tool when efficiency and effectiveness in server management are critical.