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SSH Access to LESBOS – WinSCP / Cyberduck

Quick guide for students (WinSCP for Windows & Cyberduck for macOS)

This guide explains how to connect to the LESBOS server (lesbos.ccg.uni-koeln.de) from your personal computer. Pick the section that matches your operating system.

Important – Prerequisite

LESBOS does not allow password login. You can only log in with your private SSH key. If you have lost your key, you must generate a new key pair (see Access to LESBOS server).

1. Connect from Windows with WinSCP

Step 1 – Launch WinSCP

Open WinSCP and click on New Session.

Step 2 – Enter the connection details

  • File protocol: SFTP
  • Host name: lesbos.ccg.uni-koeln.de
  • Port number: 22
  • User name: Your LesbosUsername (e.g. sg01)

Step 3 – Select the private SSH key

Click on Advanced.

On the left: SSH → Authentication

Under Private key file select your file, e.g.:

C:\Users\<Name>\.ssh\lesbos_sg01

Step 4 – Connect

Confirm with OK and click Login.

Hint

If WinSCP asks for a password, your private key is not being found. Please check the file path and the file name.

2. Connect from macOS with Cyberduck

Step 1 – Open Cyberduck

Click on Open Connection.

Step 2 – Choose connection type

SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)

Step 3 – Enter the connection details

  • Server: lesbos.ccg.uni-koeln.de
  • Port: 22
  • Username: Your LesbosUsername

Step 4 – Select the private key

Click on More Options at the bottom.

Under SSH Private Key select:

~/.ssh/lesbos_sg01

Step 5 – Connect

Click Connect.

Hint

If Cyberduck asks for a password, your private key is not being used. Please check that the file is in the ~/.ssh/ folder.

Related guides
LESBOS access (generate key) Troubleshooting ← Back to Teaching