|
|
|
Red Bird SFX Help version 2.5.0.5
|
Thank you for choosing Red Bird SFX. To help you get
acquainted with Red Bird SFX's features, this manual is divided into two
sections:
|
|
|
Help
Topics
|
|
|
|
Help topics present important concepts in Red Bird SFX.
They are not necessarily tied to a single configuration step. Help topics
are recommended reading for all Red Bird SFX users.
The help topics section does not cover all aspects of
Red Bird SFX. Please turn to the reference section for an exhaustive
explanation of all features that can be found in Red Bird SFX.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reference
|
|
|
|
The reference section covers all configuration step, all
dialogs and all features of Red Bird SFX. It is highly hierarchical and not
optimized for systematic reading.
The reference section is the basis for Red Bird SFX's
context sensitive help system. Each configuration step and each dialog have
one or more corresponding items in the reference section.
|
We appreciate your feedback. If you feel that there's a
lack of documentation in a certain area of if you find inaccuracies in the
documentation, please don't hesitate to contact us at support@kandmtech.com.
http://kandmtech.com/
|
 Connection
Overview
Connecting
with the Quick Connect Dialog
The Quick Connect dialog is the fastest way to create a
new session and connect to the remote machine associated with it. The
dialog can also be opened by clicking on the Quick Connect toolbar button  on
either the Red Bird SFX session window or the Connect dialog, or by opening
the File menu and selecting the Quick Connect
menu option. In the Quick Connect dialog, specify the protocol you will be
using, the hostname or IP address, and any other information necessary to
make the connection. When you are finished entering the necessary settings
for the connection, click on the OK button and you will be connected to the
specified host. The session will be created and stored for future use under
the name you specified. See below tables, for help with input fields.
Connecting
with the Connect Dialog
The Connect dialog can be accessed with the Connect button  on the toolbar or by selecting the Connect menu item from
the File menu. In order to connect to a remote
machine using the Connect dialog, you must select a previously created
session. You can quickly create a new session by clicking on the New Session
button. The Connection Session properties dialog, specify the protocol
you will be using, the hostname or IP address, and any other information
necessary to make the connection. When you are finished entering the
necessary settings for the connection, click on the OK button and the session
data will be saved in the connection dialog. Select the new created session
and click ok button or connect button or double click the selected session to
connect. See below tables, for help with input fields.
Deleting
stored session connection
The Connect dialog can be accessed with the Connect button on the toolbar or by selecting the Connect menu item from
the File menu. Once the connection dialog is
open select the connection session you wish to delete, click the delete
connection button  or hit the delete
key. A confirm connection delete dialog will appear, make sure the name of
the connection session you wish to delete is correct. If correct click the ok
button and the stored connection session will be deleted.
Editing or
viewing stored session connection
The Connect dialog can be accessed with the Connect button on the toolbar or by selecting the Connect menu item from
the File menu. Once the connection dialog is
open select the connection session you wish to edit or view, click connection
session properties button  , the connection
session properties dialog will load. From here you can change or view any
information relate to the connection session. If you edited the connection
session, you need to click the ok button to store connection session changes.
See below tables, for help with input fields.
Common Connection Data
|
|
Input name
|
Description
|
|
Name
|
The name of the secure session you are creating. This
name will be used to store the session connection properties and the name
that will be listed in the Connections dialog to be used later to connect
to the remote machine.
|
|
Protocol
|
The type of protocol you are using to establish you
secure session connection to the remote machine. The protocol setting
options are SCP (SSH 1), and SFTP (SSH 2). The protocol specific session
option displayed (at the bottom of the dialog) will change depending on the
Protocol selected.
The major differences between SCP (SSH 1), and SFTP (SSH
2) are as follows, with more details later:
SCP (SSH 1) protocol is faster than SFTP (SSH 2) on average,
however the protocol supports only limited encryption algorithms and does
not provide data integrity (e.g. MAC) for data transmitted. SCP only
supports RSA public keys for authentication. This protocol is viewed as
less secure than SFTP (SSH 2).
SFTP (SSH 2) protocol is slower than SCP (SSH 1) on
average, however the protocol supports a wide range of encryption
algorithms (include AES) and provides data integrity for data transmitted
via MAC. SFTP supports RSA and DSA public keys for authentication. This
protocol is viewed as more secure than SCP (SSH 1).
|
|
Hostname
|
The Hostname is the domain name or IP address of the
remote machine you are establishing a connection with.
|
|
Port
|
The port number of the SCP (SSH 1), or SFTP (SSH 2)
service on the remote machine. For SCP (SSH 1), or SFTP (SSH 2), the
default port is 22.
|
|
Username
|
The name the user used to log on to the remote machine.
|
|
Password
|
The password transmitted to the remote machine when
using Password authentication. If using the Public Key authentication, this
will be the passphrase to decrypt the private key stored locally on your
machine. Note with Public Key authentication, the passphrase is not
required, however the private key will not be encrypted locally without it.
|
|
Auth Type
|
The authentication
type to use during establishment of a connection with the remote
machine. Red Bird SFX supports two authentication methods for connecting to
the remote machine; Password, and Public Key.
Password authentication transmits the user's
password to the remote machine to authenticate the connection. The
transmitted password is protected from network eavesdropping, using only
the cipher encryption of the data channel.
Public Key authentication uses a public/private
key pair to authenticate the connection. During the authentication process,
the Red Bird SFX client and the remote machine negotiate a public key to
use for the connection. Once a public key has been determined, the Red Bird
SFX client uses the corresponding private key to perform a signature
operation over a unique connection identifier. This signature is then sent
to the remote machine for verification. If verification is successful, the
Red Bird SFX client is given permission to connect to the remove machine.
The security of the mechanism requires that no one but the owner have
access to the private key. The private key is stored locally in an identity
file. Also, prior to using public-key authentication, the public key must
be made available to the SCP (SSH 1), or SFTP (SSH 2) remote machine
process.
For more information on generating private-public key
pairs, see Key Generation Wizard.
|
|
Identity File
|
The private key identity file, the absolute path to the
private key identity files to be used in establishing this connection. See Connecting with public key
authentication.
|
SCP (SSH 1) Protocol
|
|
Input name
|
Description
|
|
Cipher
|
The encryption algorithm used to create the secure
connection to provide data privacy.
The default cipher is Blowfish-cbc. The available
ciphers are: Blowfish-cbc, 3DES-cbc, DES-cbc, IDEA-cbc, and arcfour for use
with SCP (SSH 1) protocol.
Cipher Speed Information: The DES-cbc and 3DES-cbc
ciphers are very CPU intensive (slow). The arcfour and Blowfish-cbc ciphers
are considerably less CPU intensive (faster).
Cipher name convention is cipher name, plus a dash and
the Block Cipher mode.
See Block
Cipher modes of operation, for a description of CBC, CTR, OFB, CFB, and
ECB.
|
|
Compression
|
The compression select box allows you to turn on
compression and set the compression level for this SCP (SSH 1) session. The
compression levels ranges from 1 (minimal compression) to 9 (maximum
compression). A higher level means better compression but slower
performance. The compression algorithm used is zlib.
|
SFTP (SSH 2) Protocol
|
|
Input name
|
Description
|
|
Cipher
|
The encryption algorithm used to create the secure
connection to provide data privacy. The default ciphers are AES256-cbc,
Rijndael256-cbc, AES256-CTR. Multiple encryption algorithms can be selected
and ordered in the list, to allow for the protocol to negotiate which ones
will be used. The first item in the list of selected encryption algorithms
the most desired and descends to the least desired (the last item in the
list).
The available ciphers are aes256-cbc, aes192-cbc,
aes128-cbc, rijndael256-cbc, rijndael192-cbc, rijndael128-cbc, aes256-ctr,
aes192-ctr, aes128-ctr, twofish256-cbc, twofish192-cbc, twofish128-cbc,
twofish-cbc, twofish256-ctr, twofish192-ctr, twofish128-ctr, twofish-ecb,
twofish-cfb, twofish-ofb, serpent256-cbc, serpent192-cbc, serpent128-cbc, serpent256-ctr,
serpent192-ctr, serpent128-ctr, blowfish-cbc, blowfish-ecb, blowfish-cfb,
blowfish-ofb, blowfish-ctr, 3des-cbc, 3des-ecb, 3des-cfb, 3des-ofb,
3des-ctr, idea-cbc, idea-ecb, idea-cfb, idea-ofb, cast128-cbc, cast128-ecb,
cast128-cfb, cast128-ofb, arcfour256, arcfour128, arcfour,
seed128-cbc@ssh.com for use with SFTP (SSH 2) protocol. Note that rijndael
and aes are listed as separate ciphers because some SFTP (SSH 2) processes
only recognize aes by the name rijndael.
Cipher name convention is cipher name, plus the key
sizes, plus a dash and the Block Cipher mode.
See Block
Cipher modes of operation, for a description of CBC, CTR, OFB, CFB, and
ECB.
|
|
MAC
|
A cryptographic Message Authentication Code (MAC) is a
short piece of information used to authenticate a message.
A MAC algorithm, sometimes called a keyed
(cryptographic) hash function, accepts as input a secret key and an
arbitrary-length message to be authenticated, and outputs a MAC (sometimes
known as a tag). The MAC value protects both a message's data integrity as
well as its authenticity, by allowing verifiers (who also possess the
secret key) to detect any changes to the message content.
The MAC is a component of the with SFTP (SSH 2) protocol
consisting of a hashing algorithm used to ensure data integrity between an
SFTP (SSH 2) client and an SFTP (SSH 2) machine communicating over a TCP/IP
network such as the Internet.
The available MACs are hmac-md5, hmac-sha1,
hmac-ripemd160, hmac-ripemd160@openssh.com, hmac-sha1-96,
hmac-ripemd160-96, and hmac-md5-96 for use with SFTP (SSH 2) protocol.
|
|
Compression
|
The compression select box allows you to turn on
compression and set the compression level for this SFTP (SSH 2) session.
The compression levels ranges from 1 (minimal compression) to 9 (maximum
compression). A higher level means more compression but slower performance
(more CPU intensive). The compression algorithm used is zlib.
|
|
Connecting with public key authentication
Using a public-private key pair to log onto an SCP (SSH
1), or SFTP (SSH 2) machine. Setting up public-key authentication for an SCP
(SSH 1), or SFTP (SSH 2) Red Bird SFX session is a multi-step process.
Identity files must be created using the Key
Generation wizard. One of the identity files created by the Key Generation wizard will contain a
private key that will be assigned on a session-specific level. The
session-specific characteristic of the private key is specified in the
connection dialog property Identity File (which is enabled by selecting
Public Key authentication in the connection dialog). The other identity file
created by the Key Generation wizard
will contain the corresponding public key and will need to be transferred to
the proper location on the SCP (SSH 1), or SFTP (SSH 2) machine. See Configuring the OpenSSH remote
machine process to recognize your public-key file.
|
Choosing authentication type
Red Bird SFX supports two authentication methods for
connecting to the remote machine; Password, and Public Key. The
authentication type to use during establishment of a connection with the
remote machine.
Password authentication transmits the user's
password to the remote machine to authenticate the connection. The
transmitted password is protected from network eavesdropping, due to the
cipher encryption of the data channel. In conventional password
authentication, you prove you are who you claim to be by proving that you
know the correct password. The only way to prove you know the password is to
tell the remote machine what you think the password is. This means that if
the remote machine has been hacked, or spoofed, an attacker can learn your
password.
Public key authentication is an alternative means
of identifying yourself to a login remote machine, instead of typing a
password. It is more secure and more flexible, but more difficult to set up.
In conventional password authentication, you prove you are
who you claim to be by proving that you know the correct password. The only
way to prove you know the password is to tell the remote machine what you
think the password is. This means that if the remote machine has been hacked,
or spoofed, an attacker can learn your password.
Public key authentication solves this problem. You
generate a key pair, consisting of a public key (which everybody is allowed
to know) and a private key (which you keep secret and do not give to
anybody). The private key is able to generate signatures. A signature created
using your private key cannot be forged by anybody who does not have that
key; but anybody who has your public key can verify that a particular
signature is genuine.
So you generate a key pair on your own computer, and you
copy the public key to the remote machine under a certain name. Then, when
the remote machine asks you to prove who you are, Red Bird SFX can generate a
signature using your private key. The remote machine can verify that
signature (since it has your public key) and allow you to log in. Now if the
remote machine is hacked or spoofed, the attacker does not gain your private
key or password; they only gain one signature. And signatures cannot be
re-used, so they have gained nothing.
There is a problem with this: if your private key is
stored unprotected on your own computer, then anybody who gains access to
that will be able to generate signatures as if they were you. So they will be
able to log in to your remote machine under your account. For this reason,
your private key is usually encrypted when it is stored on your local
machine, using a passphrase of your choice. In order to generate a signature,
Red Bird SFX must decrypt the key, so you have to type your passphrase.
There is more than one public-key algorithm available. The
most common is RSA, but others exist, notably DSA (otherwise known as DSS),
the USA's federal Digital Signature Standard.
|
|
Creating a public-private key pair to use for public key
authentication in SCP (SSH 1), or SFTP (SSH 2) session connection:
- Select the tools menu, and
then select the menu item Create Key Pair. The Key Generation Wizard
dialog will open.
- On the Key Generation Wizard dialog's initial screen, select
protocol (e.g. SCP (SSH 1) or SFTP (SSH 2) ) that the keys will be
used with. Note If the public-private key pair will be used with SFTP
(SSH 2), you will need to also select the encryption algorithm for the
key pair.
- Click the next button and the next screen in the Key
Generation Wizard dialog will open. On the Key Generation Wizard
dialog's second screen, you will be prompted to enter a passphrase (will
be called the password in the connection dialog), and enter a comment of
your choice.
- The passphrase is used to encrypt the local stored key
on your machine so that if someone gets a copy of your key from your
machine they can not use it to authenticate with the remote machine
without the passphrase. The passphrase is a suggest but optional field
and does not have to be entered. Note however if it is not entered, the
key will be stored locally on your machine without a passphrase. If the
passphrase is entered you will have to remember the passphrase at
connection time to use the key.
- The comment is used as a hint at passphrase entering
time to remind you what the passphrase was.
- Click the next button and the next screen in the Key
Generation Wizard dialog will open. On the Key Generation Wizard
dialog's third screen, you will be prompted to enter a key length in
bits 512 to 2048. A lower number provides less security, takes less time
to generate and authenticates faster. A higher number provides greater
security, takes more time to generate, and greater security, takes more
time to generate, and authenticates more slowly. A 1024 bit key length
is the minimum recommended value.
- Click the next button and the next screen in the Key
Generation Wizard dialog will open. On the Key Generation Wizard
dialog's fourth screen, you will be prompted to move the mouse until the
progress bar below registers 100% (this may take several minutes of
moving the mouse). This provides important random input that is used
during key generation to seed the random number generator.
- Once the progress reaches 100% you will see the message
"Generating key....Please wait!!!"
the message will disappear and the back, next, and cancel buttons will
become enabled again. Click the next button and the next screen in the
Key Generation Wizard dialog will open. On the Key Generation Wizard
dialog's fifth screen,
you will be prompted for the absolute path and file name of the private
key file.
The public key will also use the same directory and filename as the
private key, but with a .pub extension on the filename. Either manually
enter or click file browser button. Once you are finished entering the
path and filename, click the finish button and the public-private keys
will be written at the select path. The Key Generation Wizard dialog
will close. You have successful created the public-private key pair.
Note once the public-private keys are generated you may
want to see Configuring the
OpenSSH remote machine process to recognize your public-key file.
|
|
Configuring the OpenSSH remote machine process to
recognize your public-key file - In order to use your public key you must
transfer the public-key file (typically identity.pub) created by the
Key Generation wizard to your ~/.ssh directory on the remote machine you wish
to authenticate with.
- Log on to the remote machine using Red Bird SFX with
password authentication.
- Once connected to remote machine use remote machine
filing system to navigate your home directory (click the home key on
remote filing system will take you to your home directory), open the
.ssh/ directory.
- In the local filing system of Red Bird SFX navigate to
the path you stored the keys at. Select the public key (the public key
ends in the extension .pub), copy to the remote .ssh/ directory. Note
the transfer mode should be set to text.
- Once the public key is transferred to the remote
machine's .ssh/ directory, select the public key file in the remote
filing system, click file properties, and rename the public key to
authorized_keys if the key is for SCP (SSH 1) or authorized_keys2 if the
key is for SFTP (SSH 2). Change the permissions to read, and write for
owner only (e.g. 600 or -rw-------), click ok. The user home needs to
have its permissions set to read, write, execute for owner; read,
execute for group; read, execute for other only (e.g. 755 or
-rwxr-xr-x). The .ssh/ directory needs to have its permissions set to
read, write, execute for owner for other only (e.g. 700 or -rwx------).
The method described above uses only a single public key
in the authorization file. It is possible to have more than one public key in
the authorized_keys or authorized_key2 file.
|
|
The Global Options dialog is accessed by opening the Tools menu and selecting Global Options. Global
options apply to all sessions unless they are specifically overridden on a
per session.
- Graphical User Interface
- Show connection session dialog on startup - if
checked the connection session dialog will load when Red Bird SFX is
started.
- Show Toolbar - if checked the Red Bird SFX
toolbar will show by default on startup
- Show transfer status bar - if checked the Red
Bird SFX transfer status bar will show by default on startup
- Local default folder view - Allows the selection
of the default view for local machine file panel on startup
- Remote default folder view - Allows the
selection of the default view for remote machine file panel on startup
- Transfers
- Text mode file extensions match - a comma
separated list of file extensions that should be treated as text files
if the transfer mode is left as automatic. Note this can be overridden
at transfer time. Used when you have a common file extension for a file
that you want transferred in text mode normally without overriding it
at transfer time.
- Allow password storage locally - if check
passwords (or passphrases) for remote machine connections can be stored
locally with the remote machine connection data. Otherwise the
passwords (or passphrases) will not be saved. This may result in
prompting for remote machine passwords (or passphrases) at connection
time. You can gain increased security by never saving passwords (or
passphrases), however this will require that you always remember them.
|
Navigating and filing system operations
The navigating and filing system is divided into two
halves of the main screen the top half is the operations for the remote
machine and the bottom half is the operation for the local machine. The
navigating and filing system for both local and remote machine consist of: a
file panel, directory tree, "go to path", and toolbar.
Contents:
|
File
panel
File panel
In the file panel you can enter the subdirectory of
current directory by double-clicking the subdirectory icon (or by selecting
the subdirectory icon and pressing Enter).
The remote machine file panel (in details view) has the
following columns:
- Name - the name of the file or folder,
- Size - the size of the file or folder,
- Type - the type of file,
- Modified - the last time the file or folder was
modified, Permission - the permission set on the file or folder,
- Owner - the owner set on the file or folder, and
- Group - the group set on the file or folder.
The local machine file panel (in details view) has the
following columns:
- Name - the name of the file or folder,
- Size - the size of the file or folder,
- Type - the type of file, and
- Modified - the last time the file or folder was
modified.
|
Directory
tree
Directory tree
Using the directory tree you can enter any directory
visible on the tree just by clicking on its icon. If you wish to expand the
directory tree of a visible directory icon double-clinking the directory icon
or single-clicking the plus icon.
|
Go
to path
Go to path
Using the "go to path" you will manually enter the
absolute path you wish to navigate to, into the "go to" text field, then
click the "go to" icon  or hit
enter key while focused in the go to text field.
|
Back/Forward
Back/Forward
To navigate back/forward in directory history
(the same as in Windows Explorer and similar to Back/Forward buttons in a web
browser). To use quick keys pressing Atl+Left key* to go back and Atl+Right key* to go forward.
* Note when using
the navigation key you must be focused on the correct side that is for local
machine navigation keys must be focused on bottom navigation and for remote
machine navigation keys must be focused on top navigation. To focus using
quick key for local machine press Ctrl+L key, for remote machine Ctrl+R key.
|
Parent
directory
Parent directory
To go one level up in the directory structure, click the
up button  or pressing
Backspace key*.
* Note when using
the navigation key you must be focused on the correct side that is for local
machine navigation keys must be focused on bottom navigation and for remote
machine navigation keys must be focused on top navigation. To focus using
quick key for local machine press Ctrl+L key, for remote machine Ctrl+R key.
|
Home
directory
Home directory
To open the home directory. For the remote panel the home
directory is by default your user directory on the server, and for local
panel it is your desktop directory. Click the home icon  or
pressing Ctrl+H key*, and to navigate
back to home directory automatically.
* Note when using
the navigation key you must be focused on the correct side that is for local
machine navigation keys must be focused on bottom navigation and for remote
machine navigation keys must be focused on top navigation. To focus using
quick key for local machine press Ctrl+L key, for remote machine Ctrl+R key.
|
Refreshing the listing in a folder (e.g. File panel)
Refreshing the listing in a folder (e.g. File
panel)
To refresh the folder listing (e.g. File panel) click the
Refresh icon  or press the F5
key*.
* Note when using
the navigation key you must be focused on the correct side that is for local
machine navigation keys must be focused on bottom navigation and for remote
machine navigation keys must be focused on top navigation. To focus using
quick key for local machine press Ctrl+L key, for remote machine Ctrl+R key.
|
Viewing and setting properties for a File or Folder
Viewing and setting properties for a File or Folder
To view or set the properties for a file or folder in the
file panel select the items you wish to view or set the properties, then
click the File Properties icon  or press Ctrl+P
keys*. You will see the file properties
dialog. If the file properties are for the local machine, you can only view
the file properties. If the file properties are for the remote machine, you
can; rename the file, change the owner, change the group, and set
permissions. To rename the file, in the file name text field enter the new
name for the file. To change the owner, in the owner text field enter the new
name for the owner. To change the group, in the group text field enter the
new name for the group. To change the permission, check the change
permissions check box and check any permission you want to set. Once the
modifications to the properties are done, click the ok button and the changes
will be saved. Note if multiple files are selected for the file properties
you can not change the file name.
The local machine file properties consist of:
- Name - the name of the selected item.
- Size - the size of the selected item
- Location - the location of the selected item
- Type - the type of items selected (e.g. PDF, word
doc, etc)
- Modified - the last modified time of the selected
item
- Permissions - the hidden permission is checked if
the file is a hidden file, the can write permission is checked if the
file is modifiable, the can read permission is checked if the file is
readable.
The remote machine file properties consist of:
- Name - the name of the selected item.
- Size - the size of the selected item
- Location - the location of the selected item
- Type - the type of items selected (e.g. PDF, word
doc, etc)
- Owner - the owner of the selected item.
- Group - the group of the selected item.
- Modified - the last modified time of the selected
item.
- Permission - The basic permissions of read,
write, and execute, are applied to three different categories of users.
The user categories are: the owner (the process' UID matches the user of
the file), the group (not the owner, but the process' GID is a member of
the file's group), and other (everyone else). In addition to these nine
mode bits (read, write, and execute, for each of three categories of
owner, group, and others), there are three others: the set User ID (Set
UID), the set Group ID (Set GID), and the sticky (or text) bit.
* Note when using
the navigation key you must be focused on the correct side that is for local
machine navigation keys must be focused on bottom navigation and for remote
machine navigation keys must be focused on top navigation. To focus using
quick key for local machine press Ctrl+L key, for remote machine Ctrl+R key.
|
Finding a File or Folder in File panel
Finding a File or Folder in File panel
Using the "filter folder results" 
you will enter the characters you wish to filter the result by, into the
"filter folder results" text field, then click the "filter folder results"
icon  or hit
enter key while focused in the filter folder results text field. The items
displayed in file panel will be filtered to only show the items that matched
the characters you entered. To clear the filtering of the items in the filter
folder results, click the Refresh icon or press the F5
key*, to clear the "filter folder
results" text field, then click the "filter folder results" icon or
hit enter key while focused in the filter folder results text field.
* Note when using
the navigation key you must be focused on the correct side that is for local
machine navigation keys must be focused on bottom navigation and for remote
machine navigation keys must be focused on top navigation. To focus using
quick key for local machine press Ctrl+L key, for remote machine Ctrl+R key.
|
Creating
a Folder
Creating a Folder
To create a folder in the file panel, click the New Folder
icon  or press Ctrl+N
key*. You will be prompted to enter the
name of the new folder. If you are sure you want to create this folder click
the ok button, if you do not want to create this folder click cancel button.
* Note when using
the navigation key you must be focused on the correct side that is for local
machine navigation keys must be focused on bottom navigation and for remote
machine navigation keys must be focused on top navigation. To focus using
quick key for local machine press Ctrl+L key, for remote machine Ctrl+R key.
|
Deleting a File or Folder
Deleting a File or Folder
To delete a file or folder in the file panel select the
items you wish to delete, then click the File Delete icon or
press the delete key*. You will be
prompted to confirm you really want to delete the selected items. To view the
selected items you are delete click the details >> button  on the
confirm file delete dialog and a list of items being deleted will be
displayed. If you are sure you want to delete those items click the ok
button, if you do not want to delete those items click cancel button.
* Note when using
the navigation key you must be focused on the correct side that is for local
machine navigation keys must be focused on bottom navigation and for remote
machine navigation keys must be focused on top navigation. To focus using
quick key for local machine press Ctrl+L key, for remote machine Ctrl+R key.
|
|
If you are using Red Bird SFX to connect to a remote
machine for the first time, you will probably see a message looking something
like this:
|
The authenticity of host '127.0.0.1 (127.0.0.1)'
can't be established.
77:98:4c:cc:a4:b5:7e:fb:ca:8f:b4:af:11:1b:33:28.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting, add
this host
to your set of known hosts?
Do you want to proceed?
|
This is a feature of the SSH protocol. It is designed to
protect you against a network attack known as spoofing: secretly redirecting
your connection to a different computer, so that you send your password to
the wrong machine. Using this technique, an attacker would be able to learn
the password that guards your login account, and could then log in as if they
were you and use the account for their own purposes.
To prevent this attack, each remote machine has a unique
identifying code, called a host key. These keys prevent a remote machine from
forging another remote machine's key. If you connect to a remote machine and
you receive an unexpected host key, Red Bird SFX can warn you that the remote
machine may have been switched and that a spoofing attack might be underway.
|
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
@ WARNING:
POSSIBLE DNS SPOOFING DETECTED! @
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
The RSA host key for '127.0.0.1' has changed,
and the key for the according IP address '127.0.0.1'
is unchanged. This could either mean that
DNS SPOOFING is happening or the IP address for the
host
and its host key have changed at the same time.
ONLY PROCEED IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!
Do you want to proceed?
|
Red Bird SFX records the host key for each remote machine
you connect to, in the Known Host Keys data. Every time you connect to a
remote machine, it compares the remote machine's host key to the host key you
received the last time you connected. If the keys differ, you will receive a
warning and a chance to abandon your connection before you enter any private
information such as a password.
However, when you connect to a remote machine for the
first time, Red Bird SFX has no way of telling whether the host key is the
right one or not. So it gives the warning shown above, and asks you whether
you want to trust this host key or not.
Whether or not to trust the host key is your choice. If
you are connecting within a company network, you might feel that all the
network users are on the same side and spoofing attacks are unlikely, so you
might choose to trust the key without checking it. If you are connecting
across a hostile network (such as the Internet), you should check with your
system administrator, perhaps by telephone or in person. (Some modern remote
machines have more than one host key. If the system administrator sends you
more than one fingerprint, you should make sure the one Red Bird SFX shows
you, is on the list, but it doesn't matter which one it is.)
Once the key is verified, you can see it during all future
sessions on Known Host Keys dialog.
|
|
Transferring files to or from remote machines can be
accomplished by the following operations:
- Select the items in the file panel you wish to copy or
move then in the toolbar on top of the file panel select the copy
 or
move  icon or
press Ctrl+C (for copy)* or Ctrl+M
(for move)*. You will be them
prompted by a confirm copy or move dialog.
- You will be prompted to confirm you really want to copy
or move the selected items. To view the selected items you are copy or
move click the details >> button on the
confirm file copy or move dialog, the following options and details
about the transfer will be available:
- Transfer mode - automatic, text, and binary.
With some special text files (scripts, etc) it is important to convert
the line feeds from double return character to a single return
character, which is what text transfer mode performs for you on
transfer. The binary transfer, transfers the file intact without
modifying any characters in the file.
- The automatic transfer mode, selects the
files that should be transfer in text mode automatically by the file
extension matches. All files that don't match will be transferred in
binary mode. Note you can add more file extensions in "Transfer
following files in text mode" text field (semicolon separated, the
asterisk is used as a wild card match character).
- The text transfer mode, forces all files
being transferred to be transferred in text mode.
- The binary transfer mode, forces all files
being transferred to be transferred in binary mode.
- Attributes - are file attributes that can be set
on the file machine the file is being transferred to.
- Transfer to remote machine
- Preserve timestamp - sets the local machine
timestamp on the file on the remote machine after transfer
- Replace illegal characters - replace
characters in the file name (when transferring between different
operating systems)
- Set permissions - sets the remote machine
permissions for the file.
- Transfer to local machine
- Preserve timestamp - sets the local machine
timestamp on the file on the remote machine after transfer
- Replace illegal characters - replace
characters in the file name (when transferring between different
operating systems)
- Files transferring - a list of items being
copied or moved will be displayed.
- If you are sure you want to transfer those items click
the ok button, if you do not want to transfer those items click cancel
button. Note when you select move as transfer option the file and
folders will be delete from the original machine after transfer has
completed.
- When you click ok the items being transferred will be
queued in the transfer status bar. The transfer status bar consists of
an upload progress and download progress section. The upload progress
section shows files being transferred to the remote machine from the
local machine. The download progress section shows files being
transferred from the remote machine to the local machine. The files
transferred in a group (select to be transferred in same action) will be
grouped under a transfer folder. Files being transferred will show you
the transfer mode in the file icon (binary transfer mode
 and text
transfer mode ) of the
transfer status bar. The size of the file total and amount that has been
transferred so far will be shown on the progress bar of the transfer
item. The transfer rate will also be shown in the progress bar of the
transfer item.
Single upload to remote machine
Single download from remote machine
Grouped under a transfer folder
* Note when using
the navigation key you must be focused on the correct side that is for local
machine navigation keys must be focused on bottom navigation and for remote
machine navigation keys must be focused on top navigation. To focus using
quick key for local machine press Ctrl+L key, for remote machine Ctrl+R key.
|
|
The Red Bird SFX has a number of menus that provide access
to program dialogs, controls, and features. The menus are listed below:
|
|
This topic lists the options available on the File menu
including connection, disconnect, and exit.
Connect
Opens the Connections dialog where you can connect to or
edit existing sessions, or create new sessions, or delete existing sessions.
Quick Connect
Opens the Connection Session Properties dialog. This is
the quickest way to define a session connection and connect to the remote
machine. This is often used to make one-time connections. All connections
defined are saved in the connection session data file for later use.
Reconnect
Reopens the last secure connection made with a remote
machine during the current Red Bird SFX session. If Red Bird SFX was just
opened this option will not be available because no prior connection during
the session was made. If Red Bird SFX has an active session connection then
this option will not be available until you disconnect.
Disconnect
Closes the secure connection you made with the remote
machine, cancels any active downloads or uploads.
Exit
Closes all Red Bird SFX windows, cancels any active
downloads or uploads, and exits Red Bird SFX completely.
|
|
This topic lists the options available on the Tools menu
including
Global Options
Opens the Global Options dialog, where you can change
options that control the graphical user interface, and transfers.
Create Key Pair
Opens the Key Generation Wizard, where you can create a
new public/private key file to be used for secure session.
Known Host keys
Opens the SSH Known Hosts, where you can view, or delete
any secure session host.
|
|
This topic lists the options available on the View menu
including
Toolbar
Toggles the visibility of the toolbar, which usually
contains standard quick shortcut buttons (Connect, Quick Connect, Reconnect,
Disconnect etc.).
Transfer Status Bar
Toggles the visibility of the transfer status bar, located
at the bottom of the window. The transfer status bar displays useful
information about the active downloads or uploads.
|
|
This topic lists the options available on the Help menu
including
Help Topics
Opens the Red Bird SFX Help window, which contains useful
information that can help you with secure file transfers, and file
management.
Our Web Page
Opens your default web browser to the Red Bird SFX product
web page.
Ordering
Opens your default web browser to the Red Bird SFX order
web page.
Download Latest
Opens your default web browser to the Red Bird SFX product
download web page.
License
Opens the license wizard dialog, where you can view the
license information for the installed version of Red Bird SFX.
About
Opens the about dialog which contains information about
Red Bird SFX.
|
|
This topic lists the options available on the toolbar including
Note when button in toolbar is grey the button is disabled.
The button become disabled based on the active connection states (e.g. you
can not disconnect if you do not have a connection opened). The toolbar is
generally located below the drop down menu bar, however it may not be visible
if you toggled the visibility of the toolbar. To make the toolbar visible
again click the view menu and then select Toolbar.
|
|
Opens the Connections dialog where you can connect to or
edit existing sessions, or create new sessions, or delete existing sessions.
|
|
Opens the Connection Session Properties dialog. This is
the quickest way to define a session connection and connect to the remote
machine. This is often used to make one-time connections. All connections
defined are saved in the connection session data file for later use.
|
|
Reopens the last secure connection made with a remote
machine during the current Red Bird SFX session. If Red Bird SFX was just
opened this option will not be available because no prior connection during
the session was made. If Red Bird SFX has an active session connection then
this option will not be available until you disconnect.
|
|
Closes the secure connection you made with the remote
machine, cancels any active downloads or uploads.
|
|
The Red Bird SFX status bar is located at the bottom of
the application. The status bar (shown below) is made up of the following
fields (as they appear from left to right):
Status
The messages include the following:
- "not connected" - no active session connection
- "connected" - an active session connection
Name
The name of the active session connection (username @
connection session name)
Secured
connection lock
When lock is visible Red Bird SFX has established a secure
session connection; hover over the lock to see quick information about the
established connection or click on the lock. When the lock is clicked the
connection status dialog will open to display connection information.
|
|
This topic lists the options available on the file
management toolbar.
|
|
|
Button
|
Name
|
Description
|
|
|
Go to path
|
Enter a path in
manually and click go to button on the right of the input box. The path
will be navigate to with out having to click through folders.
|
|
|
Back
|
The back button
will take you back to the last path in you navigating history.
|
|
|
Forward
|
The forward
button will take you forward to the last path in you navigating history.
|
|
|
Up
|
The up
directory button will move you to the parent directory in you path.
|
|
|
Refresh
|
The refresh
button will reload the current directory listing.
|
|
|
Go to User Home
|
The go to user
home button will navigate you back to the user home directory.
|
|
|
File Copy
|
The file copy
button will launch the file copy dialog to transfer the file.
|
|
|
File Move
|
The file move
button will launch the file move dialog to transfer the file and delete the
original file.
|
|
|
File Delete
|
The file delete
button will launch the delete confirmation dialog for delete the selected
file.
|
|
|
New Folder
|
The new folder
button will launch the new folder dialog to create a new folder.
|
|
|
File Properties
|
The file
properties button will launch the file properties dialog to allow the
properties to be viewed or changed.
|
|
 
|
Folder views
|
The folder
views will change the folder listing views. Available views are: Large
Icons, Small Icons, and Details. The default view is the details view.
|
|
|
Filter Folder
Results
|
Enter text in
the filter folder results text field and click the filter button, all files
and folders that do not match your filter criteria will be disappear.
Helpful to quick find a file in a large folder.
|
|
|
The following keyboard accelerators can be used during
interactions with Red Bird SFX.
*Note when using the
navigation key you must be focused on the correct side that is for local machine
navigation keys must be focused on bottom navigation and for remote machine
navigation keys must be focused on top navigation. To focus using quick key
for local machine press Ctrl+L key, for remote machine Ctrl+R key.
|
|
|
Keys
|
Window,
focus
|
Description
|
|
Alt+C
|
Main window
|
Launches the
connections dialog
|
|
Alt+Q
|
Main window
|
Launches the
Quick connect dialog
|
|
Alt+D
|
Main window
|
Disconnects
from remote machine
|
|
Alt+R
|
Main window
|
Reconnects to
previous remote machine
|
|
Ctrl+L
|
Main window
|
Set the screen
focus to local machine
|
|
Ctrl+R
|
Main window
|
Set the screen
focus to remote machine
|
|
F1
|
Main window
|
Opens the Red
Bird SFX Help window
|
|
Backspace
|
Main window
focus on local or remote machine affects which machine performs the action*
|
move you to the
parent directory in you path
|
|
Delete
|
Main window
focus on local or remote machine affects which machine performs the action*
|
Deletes the
select items
|
|
F5
|
Main window
focus on local or remote machine affects which machine performs the action*
|
reload the
current directory listing.
|
|
Alt+Right Arrow
Key
|
Main window
focus on local or remote machine affects which machine performs the action*
|
Move forward in
path history
|
|
Alt+Left Arrow
Key
|
Main window
focus on local or remote machine affects which machine performs the action*
|
Move backward
in path history
|
|
Ctrl+H
|
Main window
focus on local or remote machine affects which machine performs the action*
|
Will navigate
you back to the user home directory.
|
|
Ctrl+N
|
Main window
focus on local or remote machine affects which machine performs the action*
|
Will launch the
new folder dialog to create a new folder.
|
|
Ctrl+F
|
Main window
focus on local or remote machine affects which machine performs the action*
|
Will set the
focus to the "Filter Folder Results" text box
|
|
Enter
|
|
invoke the
action of the focus owner
|
|
Ctrl+C
|
Main window
focus on local or remote machine affects which machine performs the action*
|
Will launch the
file copy dialog to transfer the file.
|
|
Ctrl+M
|
Main window
focus on local or remote machine affects which machine performs the action*
|
Will launch the
file move dialog to transfer the file and delete the original file.
|
|
Ctrl+P
|
Main window
focus on local or remote machine affects which machine performs the action*
|
Will launch the
file properties dialog
|
|
Escape
|
|
invoke cancel
or close on dialogs
|
|
Alt+C
|
Connection
dialog
|
Connects to
selected connection property of a remote machine
|
|
Alt+N
|
Connection
dialog
|
Launches the
Quick connect dialog
|
|
Alt+P
|
Connection
dialog
|
Launches the
connect dialog properties
|
|
Delete
|
Connection dialog
|
Deletes the
selected connection property of a remote machine
|
|
|
The Block Cipher modes of operation are processes to
transforms data into an unreadable form to provide confidentiality of the
data. In cryptography, a block cipher operates on blocks of fixed length,
often 64 or 128 bits. Because messages may be of any length, and because
encrypting the same plaintext under the same key always produces the same
output (that is identical plaintext blocks are encrypted into identical
ciphertext blocks), several modes of operation have been invented which allow
block ciphers to provide confidentiality for messages of arbitrary length.
The block cipher modes provided are CBC, CTR, OFB, CFB, and ECB.
|
|
|
Mode name
|
Description
|
|
CBC
|
In the cipher-block chaining (CBC) mode, each
block of plaintext is XORed with the previous ciphertext block before being
encrypted. This way, each ciphertext block is dependent on all plaintext
blocks processed up to that point. Also, to make each message unique, an
initialization vector must be used in the first block.
|
|
CFB
|
The cipher feedback (CFB) mode, a close relative
of CBC, makes a block cipher into a self-synchronizing stream cipher.
Operation is very similar; in particular, CFB decryption is almost
identical to CBC encryption performed in reverse.
|
|
OFB
|
The output feedback (OFB) mode makes a block
cipher into a synchronous stream cipher: it generates keystream blocks,
which are then XORed with the plaintext blocks to get the ciphertext. Just
as with other stream ciphers, flipping a bit in the ciphertext produces a
flipped bit in the plaintext at the same location. This property allows
many error correcting codes to function normally even when applied before encryption.
|
|
CTR
|
In the counter (CTR) mode, like OFB, counter mode
turns a block cipher into a stream cipher. It generates the next keystream
block by encrypting successive values of a "counter". Unlike OFB
mode, CTR mode allows a random access property during decryption.
|
|
ECB
|
The electronic codebook (ECB) mode is the
simplest of the encryption modes. The message is divided into blocks and
each block is encrypted separately. The disadvantage of this method is that
identical plaintext blocks are encrypted into identical ciphertext blocks;
thus, it does not hide data patterns well. In some senses, it doesn't
provide serious message confidentiality, and it is not recommended for use
in cryptographic protocols at all.
|
|
|
Error message dialogs
From time to time you may perform an action that causes in
error. The error message dialog consist of two parts the wrapped up error
message that displayed on the initial dialog and then the details which can
be viewed by clicking the details button.
|
|
|
Numeric Keypad Mapping
Numeric keypad mapping does not work properly in
Java-based GUI.
Affected OS: Solaris, linux - Red Bird SFX Client
Description: (from SUN) Neither my
backspace key nor my delete key have any effect in any field when using Red
Bird SFX. When I have the numlock turned on, many keys cease functioning,
including but not necessarily limited to: backspace, delete, return, tab,
and the zero on the number pad. See Sun Bug ID: 6173972.
Workaround:
The workaround is to set the environment variable
_AWT_USE_TYPE4_PATCH to false, as follows:
# setenv _AWT_USE_TYPE4_PATCH false
|
|
Permission denied
When using Red Bird SFX with protocol SCP (SSH 1) and
navigating to a directory, check folder properties, deleting folder,
coping/moving remote folder; will receive a permission denied or failure
message.
Affected OS: All
Description: Can not seem to perform
operations (e.g. navigating to a directory, checking folder properties,
deleting folder, coping/moving remote folder, etc) on a folder. The SCP
(SSH 1) protocol relies on command line programs (e.g. ls, du, rm ...) to
perform operations that are directed by the Red Bird SFX client. These
operations require the right owner, group, and permission to work on the
command line as design by the remote machine.
Workaround:
The workaround is to set the correct owner, group, and
read & execute permissions on the directory. The owner and group should
be the owner and group who has the rights to modify the folder. The
permission needs to have read and execute set for owner and group at
minimum (e.g. 550 or dr-xr-x---).
|
|
|
The following are the minimum system requirements needed
to successfully run Red Bird SFX:
- 128 MB RAM minimum
- 50 MB hard disk space minimum
- Intel® Pentium or higher (or compatible)
- Monitor
- Mouse or other pointing device
- CD-ROM drive attached to your computer
- Java 2 SDK, Standard Edition (J2SE SDK) 1.4 or higher
- Operating System:
- Windows: Windows Vista, Windows 2000/XP, Windows Server
2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 98/ME, Windows Vista
x64, Windows XP x64, Windows Server 2008 x64, Windows Server 2003 x64
- Macintosh OS X Tiger (10.4 or higher)
- Linux / Unix / Solaris with GUI
Note installers for Red Bird SFX have been built for the
following operating systems: windows, linux, solaris, and Mac OS X.
|
|
OS-Specific Red Bird SFX 2.2.0.5 Installation Notes:
To install Red Bird SFX on Windows:
- Close all other running applications before installing
Red Bird SFX.
- Insert CD; or download the installer
redbirdsfx_windows_2_5_0_5.exe. Open the CD or navigate to [windows]
folder or folder containing redbirdsfx_windows_2_5_0_5.exe if
downloaded.
- To begin installation, double-click redbirdsfx_windows_2_5_0_5.exe.
- The Introduction screen appears.
- Read the information provided. Click Next.
- Accept the license agreement when prompted. Click Next.
- Accept the default or enter the directory where you want
Red Bird SFX installed. Click Next.
- On the Choose Shortcut Folder screen you are asked for
the locations of shortcut installs.
- Click Next to accept the default location or specify
another option from the list.
- Review the installation options that you have selected.
If the options are correct, click Next to begin the installation.
- Wait for the progress bar to indicate that the install
is complete. Click Finish.
To install Red Bird SFX on Mac:
- Close all other running applications before installing
Red Bird SFX.
- Insert CD; or download the installer
redbirdsfx_macos_2_5_0_5.dmg. Open the CD or navigate to [mac] folder or
folder containing redbirdsfx_macos_2_5_0_5.dmg if downloaded.
- To begin installation, click
redbirdsfx_macos_2_5_0_5.dmg.
- The Introduction screen appears.
- Read the information provided. Click Next.
- Accept the license agreement when prompted. Click Next.
- Accept the default or enter the directory where you want
Red Bird SFX installed. Click Next.
- Review the installation options that you have selected.
If the options are correct, click Next to begin the installation.
- Wait for the progress bar to indicate that the install
is complete. Click Finish.
To install Red Bird SFX on Unix ( Linux / Unix
/ Solaris ):
- Close all other running applications before installing
Red Bird SFX.
- Insert CD; or download the installer
redbirdsfx_unix_2_5_0_5.sh. Open the CD or navigate to [unix] folder or
folder containing redbirdsfx_unix_2_5_0_5.sh if downloaded.
- To start the installation launcher:
- Copy redbirdsfx_unix_2_5_0_5.sh to desktop.
- Open command line to desktop, and make sure execute
permissions (chmod 755 redbirdsfx_unix_2_5_0_5.sh) are set on
installer.
- Enter ./install_linux.sh on the command line.
- The Introduction screen appears.
- Read the information provided. Click Next.
- Accept the license agreement when prompted. Click Next.
- Accept the default or enter the directory where you want
Red Bird SFX installed. Click Next.
- Review the installation options that you have selected.
If the options are correct, click Next to begin the installation.
- Wait for the progress bar to indicate that the install
is complete. Click Finish.
Troubleshooting Your Red Bird SFX Installation
|
PROBLEM:
The main installation program does not launch, or gives
you one of the following errors:
On Windows: The install4j wizard could not find a
Java™ Runtime Environment on your system. Please locate a suitable 32-bit
JRE. (minimum version: 1.4) OR No JVM could be found on your system. Please
define EXE4J_JAVA_HOME to point to an installed 32-bit JDK or JRE or
download a JRE from www.java.com
On Mac: An internal error occurred (error code:
{0}) The environment variable {0} has to be defined Wrong Parameter Usage
File or directory {0} not found or empty The JVM could not be started. The
main method may have thrown an exception. The JVM found at {0} is damaged.
Please reinstall or define EXE4J_JAVA_HOME to point to an installed JDK or
JRE. The {0} envionment variable does not point to a working JDK or JRE.
The JVM found in your path is damaged. Please reinstall or define
EXE4J_JAVA_HOME to point to an installed JDK or JRE. No JVM could be found
on your system. Please define EXE4J_JAVA_HOME to point to an installed JDK
or JRE or download a JRE from www.java.com.
On Unix (Linux / Unix / Solaris): No suitable
Java Virtual Machine could be found on your system. The version of the JVM
must be at least 1.4. Please define INSTALL4J_JAVA_HOME to point to a
suitable JVM. You can also try to delete the JVM cache file
/home/user/.install4j
Description: The Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
is not installed or can not be found by installer or the JVM is not 1.4 (or
higher).
Solution:
This error is because the Red Bird SFX requires a JVM
version of at minimum 1.4 (or higher). The Installer or Red Bird SFX can
not find the JVM or it is not installed. If the required JVM is NOT
installed, please install it and run again. If the required JVM is
installed, define the environment variable to point to the JVM installed
location.
Java 2
SE 5.0 Release 1 for Mac OS X can be found at:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/java2se50release1.html
Java 2 SE 5.0 for all
other OScan be found at: http://www.java.sun.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|