SSH into Server

Rollo Tamasi

I need to edit some files in my apache conf folder which is located on my server. I need to SSH into the server and, i presume, run a command to download the file, edit it locally and finally upload it to the same directory.

Within my hosting control panel, plesk 8, i have created a SSH account, however it gives me the following account options:
/bin/sh
/bin/bash
/sbin/nologin
/bin/tcsh
/bin/csh
/bin/bash (chrooted)
/bin/rbash

Which one should i choose to be able to have full access to the conf folder?

Also does anyone know what commands i should be using to edit the file?

Thomas_S_Hunterson

you dont need to edit it locally, just use vi on the server itself. Make a backup of the original file before you do anything though.
btw, you will need whatever privelages are necessary to edit the file

vi [filename]

junii

Select /bin/bash . Then SSH in and edit the file with vi or nano as sean_keevey says.

Rollo Tamasi

thanks guys, i'm a bit lost with this ssh lark.
do i need to cd into the correct dir before doing that vi command?
how do i backup the file before i edit it? what is the command for that?

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Rollo Tamasi wrote:

thanks guys, i'm a bit lost with this ssh lark.
do i need to cd into the correct dir before doing that vi command?
how do i backup the file before i edit it? what is the command for that?

You can either cd into the correct directory and use:

vi [filename]

or else just use

vi [filepath][filename]

whichever works for you!
To backup the file use

cp [filename] [filename].bak

/edit: as bedlam pointed out

Khannie

Jaysus lads....the lad doesn't know what vi is and you're advising him to use it. At least nano gives you some instructions on-screen.

Rollo: You need to learn how to use vi before you can use it. I hated it for about 10 years for that reason. Have a google for a vi tutorial.

if in doubt:
esc
:q!
<enter>

will quit without saving.

or:
esc
:wq <enter>
will save then quit

Cormic

Really handy vi guide.

http://www.lagmonster.org/docs/vi.html

When I started using linux I used nano as it is much easier for the Windows Notepad user

ishnid

8 posts, 6 of which mention vi and no-one's rowed in with a pro-Emacs post yet! Shame on you all

Steveire

I think we need nore nano in this thread actually.

sudo nano ftw

Thomas_S_Hunterson

eh...vi ftw, none of that wussy nano ****
.
.
.
.
To the thunderdome!

Khannie

vi is great.....when you know how to use it.....before then, it's crap. Nano (IMO) is definitely much more useful to people who are more familiar with windows. The really useful thing about vi is that it's installed on every unix box in the universe.

cgarvey

Rollo, have you the oppertunity to be shown how this is done? I.e. a friend who is familiar with SSH/linux sysadmin, or open up VNC over a BB connection for demo?

EDIT: I'm offering to show you over VNC, if that's any help.

I'm more concerned at the advice that's being dished out willy nilly to someone who's not au fait with how to login/logout, let alone what shell to use, rather than the vi/emacs debate!!

.cg

Rollo Tamasi

thanks cg. i need to sort one or two things out first. Khannie gave me some pointers earlier but i have to have root access to the conf folder as i received permission errors while on bin/bash/