Pragma FortressSSH

Pragma FortressSSH is a Secure Shell and FTP (SSH/SFTP) implementation for Windows servers. Pragma FortressSSH itself represents the server component; while the FortressSSH Client Suite represents both a collection of client utilities for accessing the server from remote machines as well as helper command shell based utilities that assist the remote user in performing common server functions while connected via SSH.

Pragma FortressSSH (the server component) is available for Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 servers, and provides both a Secure Shell server and secure FTP server. Secure File Copy (SCP) and Telnet are also supported. Any SSH/SFTP client can be used to access the servers; Pragma Fortress itself bundles single-user versions of the vendor's console-based SSH/SFTP clients.

As in the UNIX world, activities that can be performed when connected to the Windows server via SSH are limited to those that can be executed from the command line (DOS) console. The servers support four methods of user authentication (GSSAPI Kerberos, GSSAPI NTLM, public key/certificate and password); multiple-user access (Pragma recommends 2 MB of memory beyond the OS recommendation per simultaneous user for the server); and port forwarding, allowing for the routing of port-based communications between the client and server--such as sending or receiving E-mail--over the encrypted connection provided via the Secure Shell.

The FortressSSH Client Suite, as its name implies, provides a collection of client interfaces that can be utilized to access an SSH/Telnet and/or FTP server. Both GUI and console-based SSH/Telnet and SFTP clients are included in the suite. Additionally, the FortressSSH Client Suite includes multiple console-clients, command line utilities that can be used on the server to perform common server configuration and management tasks (and that would normally be performed using graphical Windows tools, unavailable in an SSH session). Among these command line utilities are a registry editor, password changer, machine shutdown, and process management tools allowing for the viewing and killing of active processes on the server. A GUIStart tool is additionally provided that allows the client to start a GUI application on the server; though the client will not actually be able to see/interact with the GUI application once it is running.

Finally, Pragma Systems also offers SSH, telnet, and FTP clients--PocketVT, PocketFTP and PalmVT--specifically for use on handheld devices (Windows CE, Pocket PC, PALM operating systems).

Due out August 28, 2006, the new version of Pragma FortressSSH will include a 64-bit edition and will support the upcoming Vista/Longhorn operating systems. Additional new features include support for virtual SFTP directories, support for session re-connect, and support for over 1000 sessions on a single computer.

Pricing for the upcoming release (5) of Pragma FortressSSH ranges from $399 - $999; while the FortressSSH Client Suite is priced at $99. The previous version is available now; the new version is currently available as a pre-release with general availability expected on August 28, 2006. A 14-day evaluation version is also available.

product submission by EITPlanet Staff

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