terminal - Can I use a chromebook as a ssh workstation?

06
2014-04
  • chase

    For my work I develop and run a lot of software on remote clusters. Mostly I'm just using bash/vim over ssh and run only a terminal emulator and web browser locally. I was considering getting a lightweight chromebook for travel, etc. However, I've never actually used one and don't know anyone who owns one.

    Does anyone know if a chromebook would be a suitable option, given the following requirements?

    • Can ssh into a remote machine with a fully-capable terminal
    • Can connect to a remote VNC server
    • (bonus) supports X11 forwarding over ssh
    • (bonus) has a local terminal emulator that can e.g. run bash and do some basic linux filesystem manipulation

    As to the last point, I'd prefer if there was a local terminal that allowed me to define aliases, run ssh, etc; as opposed to having a completely separate ssh client like PuTTY.

    Is the chromebook right for my use case? Or should I just get a cheapo normal laptop?

    • Answers
  • spuder

    The chrome book can support your use case, but it is a bit limited.

    Inside the browser you can install a ssh client and then press crtl + t to open up a shell.

    The terminal can only ssh into other machines, no cd, ls, touch, vim, ect...

    That said, the chrome book is great for web browsing and just ssh-ing to other computers

  • PsychoData

    Check out "Secure Shell" A great SSH client for chromebooks. Supports saved sessions, private keys Made by google's chromium team, but is in beta. Works great for me though

    There are plenty of other options you can go with as well, but I like Secure Shell. Also, anytime you need new programs for a chromebook the place to go is the Chrome web store


    • Related Question

    google chrome os - Chromebook offline activities
  • Drake

    I read something about the announcement of Chromebook from Google and it seems that is heavily cloud-based OS, but I didn't understood if it works also offline.

    Which activities can be done without a network connection?


    • Related Answers
  • JustJeff

    One of the problems with the marketability of the Chromebook -- that it only functions when connected to the Internet -- is also a misunderstanding. Google's Chrome OS doesn't have any locally installed apps like a word processor or spreadsheet manager, so many believe that Chromebooks are dependent on and useless without Wi-Fi or cellular data connectivity. But when Chromebooks ship on June 15, they'll come packaged with offline versions of Gmail, Docs, and Google Calendar.

    Sundar Pichai, vice president of Chrome's product management, announced at the Google I/O developer's conference that the company has been using offline versions of Gmail, Docs and Calendar for months, and that not only will Chromebooks sport this feature, those three core services will be available offline to everyone this summer. Source - PC World

    In Short: Yes, it has an offline support for three apps: gmail, calendar, and docs.

    Additionally, 3rd party apps will also be able to build in offline support. Example

    I should also mention that it has a card reader, and a built in media player. Meaning, if you have movies, music, or pictures on your SD card you can watch them regardless if you have a network connection or not.

  • Sathya

    Which activities can be done without a network connection?

    Nothing. You can log in, if inclined use the terminal and write some text notes but apart from that nothing.

  • TJ Walker

    There are a number of apps that feature offline functionality. There is a section or "collection" within the Chrome Web Store just for apps that will work offline.

    This is the URL https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/collection/offline_enabled?hl=en-US&utm_source=chrome-ntp-launcher

    Additionally, apps that feature offline functionality are indicated by a little lightening bolt icon.