student@ubuntu:~$
Guide Windows 10/11

SSH from Windows

Connect to the CSCD 240 lab server from Windows 10/11

You are going to type commands on a Linux server for the entire quarter. That server is on the EWU campus network. To reach it from home, you need two things: a VPN connection and an SSH client. Windows has both built in. Here is how to set them up.

What you are doing and why

SSH (Secure Shell) opens a terminal on a remote computer. You type commands on your laptop; they run on the server. Every lab, every assignment, every quiz in this class happens over SSH.

VPN (Virtual Private Network) puts your computer on the campus network even when you are at home. The server only accepts connections from the EWU network, so you must connect to the VPN first. If SSH times out, the answer is almost always “I forgot to connect the VPN.”

Step 1: Install GlobalProtect

You only do this once.

  1. Open a browser and go to support.ewu.edu/support/solutions/articles/10000047484
  2. Download the Windows 64-bit GlobalProtect agent
  3. Run the installer. Click Next, then Install, then Close.
  4. A small window appears with a text field that says Portal. Type exactly:
vpn.ewu.edu

Do not type the server hostname here. Do not type an IP address. The portal is always vpn.ewu.edu.

  1. Press Connect. An EWU login page appears. Sign in with your EWU credentials (same as Canvas).
  2. When the status shows Connected and you see a green shield icon in your taskbar, you are on the EWU network.

Verify it worked

Open PowerShell (right-click Start > Terminal or Windows PowerShell) and run:

ipconfig

Look for a network adapter with an IP address starting with 10.. That is your EWU network address. If you do not see one, the VPN is not connected — go back to step 4.

On campus (eduroam or EWU Secure wifi), you do not need the VPN. The campus network already reaches the server.

Step 2: Verify you have SSH

Windows 10 (version 1809 and later) and Windows 11 ship with an SSH client. Check by opening PowerShell and typing:

ssh -V

You should see something like OpenSSH_for_Windows_9.5p1. If you see a version number, skip to Step 3.

If you get 'ssh' is not recognized:

  1. Settings > Apps > Optional Features
  2. Add a feature > search OpenSSH Client > Install
  3. Close PowerShell, reopen it, and run ssh -V again

Step 3: Connect to the server

In PowerShell, type this command. Replace YOUR_USERNAME with your EWU username (e.g., jdoner42).

ssh YOUR_USERNAME@TBD.ewu.edu

First time only: accept the host key

The authenticity of host 'TBD.ewu.edu' can't be established.
ED25519 key fingerprint is SHA256:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])?

Type yes and press Enter. Your computer saves the server’s identity so it does not ask again.

Enter your password

Type your EWU password. Nothing appears on screen as you type — no dots, no asterisks, nothing. This is normal. Type carefully and press Enter.

If it worked, you see a Linux prompt:

YOUR_USERNAME@server:~$

You are on the server. Every command you type now runs on that machine.

Step 4: Disconnect

When you are done, type:

exit

If something goes wrong

What you see What it means What to do
Connection timed out VPN is not connected Open GlobalProtect, connect to vpn.ewu.edu, then try again
Connection refused Server is not accepting connections The server may be down. Email your instructor.
Permission denied Wrong username or password Check your username. Retype your password carefully.
'ssh' is not recognized OpenSSH is not installed See Step 2 above.
Host key verification failed Server identity changed (rare) Run ssh-keygen -R TBD.ewu.edu then reconnect.

Sources