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SSHFS (Secure SHell File System) is a tool that allows you to mount remote storage using the SSH protocol. SSHFS is commonly used on Unix systems, but even Windows users can mount remote storage securely and efficiently. In this article, we'll look at how to mount a remote disk using SSHFS from Windows.

Benefits of Using SSHFS for Storage Mounting

SSHFS is an excellent tool for those who need to connect a remote server to a local system without manually transferring entire files. The main benefits of SSHFS include:

• Security: Communication between the client and server takes place over an encrypted SSH protocol.
• Flexibility: Virtually any remote system can be connected as long as SSH access is available.
• Easy File Management: It allows you to work with files on the remote server as if they were on a local disk.

Steps to Set Up SSHFS on Windows

Unlike Linux, where SSHFS is often available by default, Windows requires several steps to install the necessary software. Here is a detailed guide on how to set up SSHFS on a Windows system:

1. Installing the Required Software

To use SSHFS on Windows, you'll need the following:

• WinFsp: Filesystem in Userspace (FUSE) implementation for Windows, which allows creating file systems like regular Windows drives.
• SSHFS-Win: SSHFS implementation for Windows, which works with WinFsp.

Installation Procedure:

• Visit the official WinFsp website (https://www.secfs.net/winfsp/) and download and install WinFsp.
• Then, download SSHFS-Win from GitHub (https://github.com/billziss-gh/sshfs-win) and install it. You can use the MSI installer, which is user-friendly.

2. Connecting to Remote Storage Using Command Prompt

Once you have installed the necessary software, you can use SSHFS to connect to the remote storage. Proceed as follows:

• Run Command Prompt (cmd.exe) or PowerShell with administrator privileges.

• Use the following command to mount the remote directory:

  sshfs.exe user@remote_host:/remote/directory X:
  

• Parameters:

  • user@remote_host: The username and server address (e.g., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
  • /remote/directory: The path to the remote directory you want to mount.
  • X:: The drive letter under which the remote storage will be mounted in Windows.

3. Authentication

During the first connection attempt, you will likely be prompted to enter your SSH account password on the remote server. If you do not want to enter the password every time, you can use SSH keys.

Creating SSH Keys:

1. Run ssh-keygen on your local machine to generate a key pair (id_rsa and id_rsa.pub).

2. Copy the public key (id_rsa.pub) to the remote server using the command:

   ssh-copy-id user@remote_host
   

Now it will be possible to mount the remote storage without entering a password.

4. Automatically Mounting at System Startup

If you want the remote storage to be automatically mounted when Windows starts, you can create a Batch script and add it to Task Scheduler:

Example Batch Script (sshfs_mount.bat):

@echo off
sshfs.exe user@remote_host:/remote/directory X: -o IdentityFile=C:\path\to\your\private\key

You can add this script to Task Scheduler in Windows to run it at user login.

Potential Issues and Solutions

1. Access Permissions: Make sure you have the correct permissions on both the remote server and the local computer, especially for reading and writing files.

2. Delays and Latency: SSHFS may be slower than other storage connection methods, especially if working with large files or low bandwidth. It is recommended to optimize SSH settings and use compression (-C option in the SSHFS command).

3. Drive Letter Issues: If the drive letter is already in use, choose a different free letter. Also, ensure that you properly disconnect the connection using net use X: /delete.

 

SSHFS is a very useful tool for mounting remote storage on Windows using the SSH protocol. Although setup requires installing external software like WinFsp and SSHFS-Win, the benefits of secure and flexible storage connection are certainly worth it. This method is ideal for anyone looking for a secure solution to work with data on remote servers from a Windows environment.