What is shellinabox?

Shellinabox is a free, open-source, web-based terminal emulator that uses Ajax technology to provide the appearance of a native shell. It was developed by Markus Gutschke. It has the following features:

1. Built-in Web Server: Shellinabox includes a built-in web server, allowing users to run a web-based SSH client on a specific port. This convenient feature enables remote access to the Linux Server SSH Shell without the need for additional software installations.
2. Web Terminal Emulator: With Shellinabox, users can remotely access the Linux Server SSH Shell through a web terminal emulator. This emulator functions seamlessly on any web browser supporting AJAX/JavaScript and CSS, eliminating the requirement for browser plugins such as FireSSH.
3. SSL/TLS Encryption: To ensure secure communications between the client and server, Shellinabox supports SSL/TLS certificates. When Shellinabox is installed, it automatically installs a new self-signed SSL certificate, which can be found in the /var/lib/shellinabox directory for HTTPS usage. Users also have the option to install their own SSL certificates for enhanced security.

Secure Shell (SSH) is employed to access Linux-based machines, while Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is employed for accessing Windows-based machines. Putty is a widely recognized SSH client for Windows. Similarly, to remotely access a Linux server via a web browser, the shellinabox application allows the utilization of SSH.