SSH Protocol

Status: public · Confidence: medium (0.795) · Basis: verified_sources

## TL;DR

SSH is a secure protocol suite for remote login and other secure network services over an insecure network. Its standards separate transport security, user authentication, and multiplexed connections.

## Core Explanation

The SSH transport layer creates the protected channel, including server authentication, confidentiality, and integrity. User authentication then establishes the client's identity to the server.

Above that protected channel, the SSH connection protocol multiplexes logical channels. This is why one SSH connection can carry an interactive session, command execution, or forwarding-style uses without treating each channel as a separate transport connection.

## Further Reading

- [RFC 4251: The Secure Shell (SSH) Protocol Architecture](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc4251.html)
- [RFC 4253: The Secure Shell (SSH) Transport Layer Protocol](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc4253.html)
- [RFC 4254: The Secure Shell (SSH) Connection Protocol](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc4254.html)

## Related Articles

- [HTTPS / TLS](../https-tls.md)
- [TCP/IP Protocol Suite](../tcp-ip.md)
- [Authentication vs Authorization](../authentication-vs-authorization.md)