Use WSL/bash ssh instead of openSSH

[thkrishn]

I was trying to set this up :
https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/remote/ssh#_getting-started

but Open ssh is not there on mu windows build; so is it possible to force vscode insiders to use WSL ssh (linux ssh)

Thanks

[roblourens]

We don't support using WSL SSH yet but I will keep this as a feature request for that.

[pd93]

@thkrishn If you have WSL, then I assume you also have Windows 10. As long as you're running 1709 or later then you should be able to follow these instructions to install the OpenSSH optional feature. You can then use the ssh command via cmd or Powershell as you would in the WSL and use the Remote - SSH extension in VSCode.

[Chuxel]

@thkrishn WSL is also an emulation layer, so you perf may not be as good as using the native libraries.

[thkrishn]

@pd93 and @Chuxel Thanks
I still have the 1607 Version Once I get the update I shall try what you suggest

EDIT:
This link says openSSH is available on 1809 which is 2 releases away

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/openssh/openssh_install_firstuse

[pd93]

@thkrishn OpenSSH is definitely available in 1709. I couldn't find the official release notes for it, but there are plenty of articles that reference its use in 1709. Plus the Microsoft blog post I already linked.

The documentation you linked is for Windows Server and only states that OpenSSH is present in Windows 10 1809, not that it wasn't present before that. The reason it uses 1809 as the example is because (until a few days ago) it was the latest release of Windows 10.

-- edit --

As an aside, I thoroughly recommend an upgrade! 😉 The WSL and Windows 10 itself have vastly improved since 2016.

[Sumanai]

@pd93

OpenSSH

The problem with using OpenSSH is that you have to support two SSH client configurations — OpenSSH and ssh in the WSL.

[pd93]

@Sumanai Agreed. If you have requirement to use the WSL and Remote SSH then there is a config duplication problem. Much the same as the issue of two .gitconfigs for Git Bash and WSL. These is definitely a place for this feature. My point was just that you don't need the WSL to run Remote SSH if you're running 1709+.

[Chuxel]

Related to #448 which has been implemented. 🎉

[nbdd0121]

I think this feature would be important, e.g. it's difficult if not impossible to use kerberos with Windows' ssh.

If you have admin access, you may compile and put the file under C:\Windows\System32\OpenSSH\ssh.exe as a workaround.

// SPDX-License-Identifier: WTFPL
#include <sstream>
#include <cstdlib>

int main(int argc, char** argv)
{
	std::stringstream builder;
	builder << "C:\\Windows\\Sysnative\\bash.exe -ic \"ssh ";
	for (int i = 1; i < argc; i++) {
		if (i != 1) builder << ' ';
		builder << "\\\"";
		for (char* v = argv[i]; *v; v++) {
			switch (*v) {
			case '&': builder << "^&"; break;
			default: builder << *v; break;
			}
		}
		builder << "\\\"";
	}
	builder << '"';
	return system(builder.str().c_str());
}