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Lightweight SSH client that allows you to interact with remote networks, systems, and devices

Lightweight SSH client that allows you to interact with remote networks, systems, and devices

Vote: (16 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Mobatek

Version: 23.1

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(16 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Mobatek

23.1

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Supports many protocols
  • Allows you to run X11 software on Windows
  • Fast and lightweight
  • Portable

Cons

  • Allows users to create unsecured telnet connections
  • Randr and OpenGL apps run slowly
  • Needs a plug-in to work with some computers

Moba is a cross-platform Xserver and SSH client that allows Windows users to take advantage of Unix technologies without needing to boot into a separate operating system.

By offering users a smart UI that allows them to access remote servers, Moba has positioned itself as a tool that should work in many situations related to systems administration. Resource managers can use the software to log into a distant computer and run graphical apps over it, though it also provides the option to deploy legacy CLI-based software as well.

The app aims to be as light as possible, which is rather impressive given its very wide scope. It comes packed with all of the commands you'd expect to find included with a full GNU/Linux implementation. It distributes these using the Cygwin system, which serves as an application layer that permits you to run Unix code right on top of Windows.

While you might think that this slows things down considerably by passing everything through an emulator, Cygwin just translates POSIX calls to Windows' native API. When you use the app to dial into a remote computer, everything that runs locally should run every bit as fast as though you were running it on real Unix. In fact, it might run every so slightly faster.

That means you can perform vital system administration tasks while doing other kinds of work on your computer. Since it supports passed options, Moba can be called from a PowerShell script or a DOS batch file. You could even use the run dialog box to start it easily.

Remote terminal computing often has to be done on the go, so it's good that Moba is completely portable. You can move all of the app's files to a single USB memory stick and plug it into any Windows PC. The app will run like normal. This is great news for those who have to maintain mission-critical enterprise apps on a number of different machines.

The app also runs fine from SDHC and microSDHC cards, which might prove useful for those who prefer to bring up a terminal session on their laptop. Once the app starts, it automatically configures X11-forwarding as soon as SSH connections are established.

It includes an OpenSSH utility that frees users to send code over a standard X Windows installation seamlessly. They also have the option to connect via RLOGIN or RSH in addition to traditional SSH. While you could also theoretically use the app to connect via telnet, this is extremely insecure and not considered advisable under any circumstances.

In recent years, telnet has seen some popularity as a platform for running online roleplaying games and other text-based adventures, much as it was once was in the mainframe era. Moba is theoretically compatible with MUD and MUCK services that allow you to run these kinds of games. Once again, this kind of a connection would lack encryption so it's not advisable regardless of the fact that there's an in-app button to do it.

This is more of a criticism of the telnet protocol than Moba, however, so most users won't hold this against it. Fortunately, they will find plenty to like as far as the app's included macro support is concerned.

Users can make custom macros to help streamline like their workflows. Almost any process can be automated in this way. Best of all, it comes with support for a custom package manager that lets users add additional functionality to the software if they needed.

Each time you open a new terminal window, Moba creates a tab to store it in. This gives it the same look and feel you'd expect from the terminal emulators that come with most modern Linux desktop environments. A convenient keyboard shortcut allows you to flick through the tabs effortlessly.

You'll certainly have more than enough commands to run, considering just how large Moba's toolbox is. The app contains support for all of the following protocols and CLI apps:

  • MOSH
  • RDP
  • VNC
  • cat
  • awk
  • grep
  • ls
  • rsync
  • sed

This is in addition to its native support for FTP and SSH. If you want to write your own scripts, then you shouldn't have any difficulty doing so. The app includes a built-in bash shell that works just as well as the one that comes with every Macintosh computer.

Solaris fans should find themselves especially happy with these extra tools, since they can use them to access their preferred desktop via the XDMCP protocol.

Pros

  • Supports many protocols
  • Allows you to run X11 software on Windows
  • Fast and lightweight
  • Portable

Cons

  • Allows users to create unsecured telnet connections
  • Randr and OpenGL apps run slowly
  • Needs a plug-in to work with some computers