Access unix shell using php or javascript

BlackHatRob · 11-06-2005, 04:59 PM

I am interested in a way to allow access to a unix shell by using either php or javascript (or both). What I am looking for is a way to display an interface similar to what people see when they use programs such as ssh for workstations or putty. Even if it just has a window that displays the output and a line to give input, that would be great.

Does anyone have any ideas?

spooon · 11-06-2005, 05:08 PM

PHP can do that. Check out the "system" or "exec" functions. Also, this sounds like a bad security problem. Why can't you just use SSH? (There are Java applet SSH clients like MindTerm).

BlackHatRob · 11-06-2005, 06:18 PM

I work at a university and the thought is to provide a 'web portal' so that students can access their email, unix filesystem, and other things through the web so as to not be limited to using the applications such as ssh.

Do the php commenda you mentioned allow the output to be returned?

spooon · 11-06-2005, 07:02 PM

I strongly recommend that you put a Java SSH client on your website, as only SSH will offer the kind of security that you need. I know many universities and organizations that use them. It is really convenient (and secure) for the students; they only need a browser with Java to have it work. You should check out one of these:
* MindTerm (free for personal use)
* JavaSSH

Also, for email, there are many good free webmail programs that you can use.

lqorg_user · 11-06-2005, 10:14 PM

You may want to install horde since the horde project has everything you want to do.

Visit

http://www.horde.org/