I do. I use it all the time for database exporting/importing - but apart from that, nothing else. I don't think I could do without it now. Parcom never offered it, but my new host (chihost.com) have it and since I started I can't understand how I ever did without it.

Do you think it's important to have? Do you currently have it?

Hello,

For me I do not use this function, I have never had the need to use it. I know it’s a good tool but just don’t find it useful in my view.

-MGS-

It really is something that all webmasters on the linux platform should learn - command line offers so many administration options, it really is useful.

I believe SSH/SSL is just the tip of the iceberg if you have sensitive information and want to make your website truely secure. For financial sites it's a must.

As for shell, it is necessary for all unix users (more linux though) even though not many people even use DOS on Windows.

sure. i think so

It would ultimately depend on what you plan on doing, esentially if it's just for dumping databases you can have scripts to do that for you so then it wouldn't be needed.

However if you have the time to learn how to use the distro you are running via a shell then you should do it since it will come in handy at some point.

I seriously could not live without it.

What miss me even more, as a serial console on my development vps...
Every time I have to reboot after an upgrade or because of an error of mine, I cross my finger for around 30 seconds after I've typed "init 6"...

It's always relieving when the server respond to ping again.

I can't live without it either. I use ssh and scp to set up all of my sites, edit .htaccess, install software etc..

Now that I am looking to expand my network of sites (and move my "gray" sites away from my dedicated server and onto multiple shared hosting accounts), I am surprised at how many shared hosts don't offer SSH access.

SSH poses very significant security risks for shared hosting providers. That's the main reason that many don't offer it. Some providers require photo ID in order for them to turn on SSH for the account.

Anyone with a colocated, dedicated or VPS hosting plan on Linux will have access to SSH and needs it if they are the ones maintaining the server.

For most shared accounts it's by no means a necessity.

Originally Posted by john2k

SSH poses very significant security risks for shared hosting providers. That's the main reason that many don't offer it. Some providers require photo ID in order for them to turn on SSH for the account.

Anyone with a colocated, dedicated or VPS hosting plan on Linux will have access to SSH and needs it if they are the ones maintaining the server.

For most shared accounts it's by no means a necessity.

I think SSH is a necessity if the user paying for it needs it. In my case I need it.

We just signed up for Hostgator the other day and found out they require a photo ID in order for them to enable SSH. I argued with them about it and ended up cancelling our account just a few hours after signing up. The whole thing pissed me off because they advertise that SSH access is available (they don't say anything about a driver's license) and they had no problem taking our money without looking at my ID.

Yes, SSH Client is very important at all.

You can some ssh clients as the F-secure ssh client to access the host with the built-in files tranfer function.No need to use a ftp client.

I use SSH a lot. It's very important when you run your own dedicated servers :P

i have it enabled but dont use it very often,
just for statistic functions