Unable to open putty window using Start Process activty?

[_nithish (Nithish Dhanabal)]

Hi Forum,
I was trying to automate putty instance where i have to interact with putty terminal with some comments, but when i try to open putty terminal using Start process activity it is showing some error popup which i mentioned below.
Arguments passed is -ssh username@ip

Kindly share me the solution to resolve the issue,
Thanks in advance

[Shakib]

Steps for an Easy Fix

1. Check if Password Authentication is Enabled

• Ask the Server Admin: Confirm whether password authentication is allowed on the server. If it is disabled, request the admin to enable it temporarily:
  • Edit /etc/ssh/sshd_config on the server:

text

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PasswordAuthentication yes

• Restart the SSH service:

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sudo service ssh restart

2. Configure PuTTY for Password Authentication

• Open PuTTY.
• Enter the server’s IP address/hostname and username.
• Under Connection > Data, fill in the Auto-login username field with your username.
• Save the session for reuse.

3. Automate with UiPath

• Use the Start Process activity:
  • File Name: Path to putty.exe.
  • Arguments: -load saved_session_name.
• If a password prompt appears:
  • Use Type Into activity to input the password.
  • Use Send Hotkey to press Enter.

Alternative: Use Key-Based Authentication Without Complex Setup

If the server requires key-based authentication:

1. Generate a Key (e.g., using PuTTYgen).
2. Add the Public Key to the Server (~/.ssh/authorized_keys).
3. Configure the saved session in PuTTY:

• Load the private key in Connection > SSH > Auth.
• Save the session for easy reuse.

Easiest of All: Use UiPath’s Built-in SSH Activities

Instead of automating PuTTY:

1. Install the UiPath.SSH.Net Activities from Manage Packages.
2. Use the following activities:

• SSH Connect: Provide the server IP, username, and password (or private key).
• SSH Execute Command: Run commands on the server directly.
• SSH Disconnect: Close the session.

This avoids dealing with PuTTY entirely, simplifying your workflow.

[_nithish (Nithish Dhanabal)]

Hello @Shakib , Thanks for your reply

As i don’t find the UiPath.SSH.Net package on UiPath manage packages. Could you please share any screenshot for that package installed in studio.

Also for putty saving sessions i don’t find any options called connection>Data .
if possible can we set up a short call for this issue?

[Shakib]

1. Regarding the UiPath.SSH.Net Package

The UiPath.SSH.Net package may not be a default package in the official UiPath feed. Instead, you can try:

a. Search in Official Feed:

• Open Manage Packages in UiPath Studio.
• Switch to the All Packages tab.
• Search for SSH.NET.

b. Use Community Feeds or Custom Libraries:

If not found, you might need to add it manually or use custom libraries. Here’s how to add a custom package source:

1. Go to Manage Packages > Settings.
2. Add a new feed URL (e.g., a community repository or an internal repository with the library).

c. Alternative Approach: Invoke SSH.NET DLL Directly

• Download the SSH.NET library from NuGet (e.g., using a tool like NuGet Package Explorer).
• Import the .dll into your UiPath project.
• Use Invoke Code or Invoke Method activities to interact with the library.

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2. Regarding PuTTY Saved Sessions

If you don’t find the Connection > Data option, it might be a navigation misunderstanding. Let’s walk through it step-by-step:

Steps to Save a Session:

1. Open PuTTY.
2. In the Category menu (on the left):

• Go to Session.
• Enter your Host Name (or IP address) and Port.

3. Navigate to Connection > SSH > Auth:

• Here, you can load your private key for authentication if needed.

4. Back in Session, type a name in the Saved Sessions box and click Save.

To Load a Session:

• Open PuTTY and select the saved session name from the list.
• Click Load, then Open.

[_nithish (Nithish Dhanabal)]

Hi @Shakib , Thanks for the detailed explanation , i have successfully Saved the session .

Also I can find the SSH.NET Package but no activities available under that package .
Also i tried with UiPathTeam.SSHConnector.activities but ended up in a error as there is no options to pass passprase for the private key in SSH Connector scope.

Since i wish to do it in a background way, kindly suggest other way of making it possible ,if you have any.