Connecting an outbound SSH when I SSH in...

[Daychilde]

I think that's the least confusing subject I could come up with...

I have access to an ubuntu box via ssh externally (I work from my house). I use Expandrive to map a windows network drive via SSH, which is GREAT.

Here's what I'm now trying to do: In the lab, there are other unbuntu boxen, which I have internal SSH access to. I'm having to move files around on these boxen a lot, which, even with rsync, is a pain.

What I'm thinking of doing, to make my life easier, is to create a user on the box that's open to the internet; when I log into that user, have it perform an ssh to the second box. The only complication is that I need to then sudo on the second box (apache is running - files are owned by root).

So, first of all - can I do this? Is this a good way? Do you have any better ideas?

I'm somewhat of a linux newbie, although I've been playing off and on for several years now (more off than on). I'm trying to learn more now.

As I've searched for information on how to do this, I've found out how to add things to Ubuntu's startup using the gui, but not so much for commands to run when connecting via SSH... It may be that's all I need to know - where to stick the 'ssh' command. Might it be in .cshrc?

(Part of the reason I'm asking is that before I bug my boss to create me another user on the box - I want to make sure the idea works first so I don't waste his time. If I can go to him and say "This will probably work, can I try it?" he'll say yes - but if I say "I'd like to see if I can get this to work", probably not)

I think I've found an answer for sudo on the ssh to the second box - I can put a command to run on the ssh line. But will that work? When I "sudo tcsh" on the second box, it works - and with no password prompt.

What do you think? Am I on the right track? Will this work? And do you have any better ideas?

Thank you in advance for any advice you might have for me. I'm eager to learn.

[Daychilde]

Also: When one makes an SFTP connection (rather than SSH) - is there any difference?