SVPAL: Access to Menus

Connect

You can access the SVPAL menu system from any Internet-connected computer. The unsecured Telnet service is no longer supported.

SVPAL recommends that you install a program that implements the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol, such as PuTTY available on our download page. This program uses strong modern encryption to protect your communication and passwords over the Internet. Modern Apple Mac computers offer OpenSSH for secure remote access.

SVPAL recommends the latest verion of PuTTY that runs on your system. Older versions of PuTTY generally work fine, if they are not too old. Versions 0.74 or older work fine, but the fingerprints use MD5 hashes.

The first time you use ssh, you may be asked to verify the fingerprint for the public key used to validate the connection. Some implementations of ssh can verify the fingerprint automatically providing assurance you are connecting to the right site before you give your password. Here's an example with openssh:

	  @ ssh svpal.svpal.org
	  The authenticity of host 'svpal.svpal.org (104.225.12.49)' can't be established.
	  ED25519 key fingerprint is SHA256:BiGc56laNNtJAtC6XMXaR4HjnYgs9sMseylgoRRD+ps.
	  Matching host key fingerprint found in DNS.
	  This key is not known by any other names.
	  Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])?

Note above where it says: "matching host key fingerprint found in dns". this provides assurance that you are really connecting to SVPAL. You may also manually verify the fingerprint by checking the list of ssh fingerprints.

The PuTTY program does not validate via dns, so you must verify the fingerprint manually. The list of ssh fingerprints can be used to perform this verification.

If you installed an ssh program, such as PuTTY, start it by clicking it's icon to start it. Then select to connect to host name svpal.svpal.org. If this is successful, then you should get a window displaying a “login” prompt.

Web browser login

Another method to access the SVPAL menu system is using a javascript-enabled, ssl-secured web browser. this leverages the security provided by modern web browsers to secure communication with SVPAL's menu system.

SSL Secure Shell

This button starts up a secure shell session inside your web browswer, leveraging it's ability to establish a secure SSL session with SVPAL. You only need a modern web browser to connect this way.

SSL Secure Shell (firewall)

This button starts up a secure shell session inside your web browser, but does so in a way that can get around restrictive firewalls or web proxies, like ones you might find in a library. Use this button if the one above does not work.

This method should work for most computers built in the past 15 years. No additional software needs to be installed to utilize this method of connecting. It should work on guest computers, like those found in libraries. The link opens a page where you are presented with a "login:" prompt. Note that some control keys like ^N and ^W have unexpected side effects, so try to avoid their use. Log into the system as described below.

In the SSH window you should see the message:

login:

At this point type in your user name. If your user name is janedoer, then type this into the SSH window. If you make a mistake typing your user name, just use the Backspace key to erase the mistyped characters. The user name should appear on the display after login: Finish by pressing the Enter key.

Code:

Now your screen should appear:

login: janedoer
Code 4516
Enter code:

Now type in the code that appears on the screen. Note that your entry does not appear on the screen. If make a mistake typing the code, press the Backspace key several times to completely erase your typing and enter the entire code again. Finish by pressing the Enter key.

	  login: janedoer
	  Code 4516
	  Enter code:
	  Password:

Password

Now enter your password. Note that your entry does not appear on the screen. If make a mistake typing your password, press the Backspace key several times to completely erase your typing and enter your entire password again. Finish by pressing the Enter key.

If you mis-entered your user name, code, or password, you are again prompted for your user name. Try to login again.

SSH Fingerprints (as of Aug 24, 2023)

SVPAL.SVPAL.ORG

Bits	Key Fingerprint	Type
256	SHA256:JyrwmFacc7nj3Afw0LYIYBaNc0N98TjYHhHxriUC/Iw	(ECDSA)
256	SHA256:BiGc56laNNtJAtC6XMXaR4HjnYgs9sMseylgoRRD+ps	(ED25519)
3072	SHA256:pzc0uL3KFnBRByzqVZsy9/BwPvbgGo0YqNBpomxm5nI	(RSA)

VENTURE.SVPAL.ORG

Bits	Key Fingerprint	Type
256	SHA256:6fVY9jYkDrb5t8GGqHOnz+Lfk3grlLZaAMixf9qpzKE	(ECDSA)
256	SHA256:FDILcofw/Yj/JBbVBJg+bqY8ZLbNIxSkQFgK+JwEfio	(ED25519)
3072	SHA256:x8qfVDF+aBOCmHCQDGBfY0cH4I6hT4tmVlw+7TeQMps	(RSA)

SSH Fingerprints (older versions of PuTTY)

SVPAL.SVPAL.ORG (MD5 Fingerprints)

Bits	Key Fingerprint	Type
256	MD5:52:36:d8:6b:83:ab:f0:71:91:6d:d4:53:45:1b:11:a1	(ECDSA)
256	MD5:11:8c:3f:04:8c:9d:2f:12:6c:bd:5c:43:87:d6:3f:f2	(ED25519)
3072	MD5:d7:d5:84:b7:cc:81:81:3e:4d:1f:15:51:7c:97:ff:33	(RSA)

VENTURE.SVPAL.ORG (MD5 Fingerprints)

Bits	Key Fingerprint	Type
256	MD5:29:da:e1:f0:ee:6d:f3:56:04:38:16:2d:e0:1b:ae:01	(ECDSA)
256	MD5:50:37:b4:ef:9d:99:a9:83:5e:1a:cd:db:a1:31:2c:d9	(ED25519)
3072	MD5:45:ff:b1:e5:0a:36:14:d8:fb:85:cd:4e:bd:97:4d:db	(RSA)

Access to SVPAL Menus