PHP and SSH integrated?

j_miguel_y

Right now, I want to create a web-based SSH protocol on the internet browser using PHP. I know PHP, and I know there are command s to execute linux commands (I have a linux OS). The SSH package is installed within the computer.

The question is: I used the PHP syntax exec() and system() to execute this linux "command ssh -X mydomain.com -l my_username". This command does not work on php why not? any alternatives for executing this linux command?

Thank You,
Mike

AstroTeg

Assuming you're attempting to run SSH from exec() or system(), how are you handling the transmission of data? See, by using exec() or system(), you're telling PHP to tell the OS to run the command. PHP will listen for the output, but it doesn't play a roll in controlling the SSH session itself (at least, not with exec() or system()). You'll probably want to explore [man]popen[/man] and its band of functions. They will allow you to have a 2 way conversation with the SSH session, which is what I think you're looking for...

Tracer

Thats interesting... But wouldnt using popen cause the PHP script to continue to run until the connection was closed?

And what would happen to the connection when the PHP script hits it's MAX_Runtime ?

j_miguel_y

I appreciate it asrto, but I just tried using popen(), it is like using exec(), but it's in a different format. Are there any other ways of executing a linux command 'ssh -X yuourhost.com -l my_username'?

AstroTeg

Yes, using the process opener, the SSH session would continue running until you tell it to close or the max script run time runs out (which you can override if you wish).

I'm not sure its clear what the ultimate motive is for SSH and how long the expected session is to go.

j_miguel_y

Dear Astro,
I am not understanding you with this... you are saying i should control a process...there is one command i can think of that does this... can you give me a small snippet of code that demonstartes executing ssh?

Thank You,
Mike

AstroTeg

SSH is a protocol for secure remote command executions. As a protocol, you can create sessions and issue multiple commands with it. A practical example, as you might be aware of, is Putty which is an SSH Telnet-like client. I'm presuming you're wishing to emulate Putty but using PHP. But its not clear what your ultimate goal is of SSH and running a command. Are you looking to run a command on another server? Is it running SSH? Are you looking to issue 1 command? Does any of the commands require user interaction? How will you know when the command has completed (and if it completed successfully or not)?

j_miguel_y

I am trying to emulate Putty... my way of thinking was executing ssh -X mydomain.com -l myusername. That way I was thinking the I would be able to use exec(). My server would relay to another server since I am executing the SSH.

I have SSH in my computer. All and all, I want to emulate Putty, and I want to have user interaction. I do not just want to run one command, but be able to run different commands per line like Putty.

I hope this answers your questions before you can give me advice =)

Thank You

AstroTeg

I presume you'll be using port 80 as your interface to the SSH session? If so, you'll need to setup a socket server to listen for the requests on port 80 (sort of like a mini-web server) and then translate them to the SSH session.

PHP by itself will not do this for you. When running exec() and system(), it just runs the command and waits for the output. If the command never returns, then the script times out or you hang PHP. So you'll need to build a PHP interface to interact with the SSH session.

You REALLY want to use care here. Fiddling with exec() and system() is like playing with fire. Fiddling with a gateway to SSH on another server is like playing with explosives. It can be done, but if you have no concept of security, you are building one really big hole for folks to walk through.