Restore SSH session

Question

I have connected to my server via SSH and created a process, but suddenly my internet connection got disconnected. I know that the process is going on, but how can restore previous session to see the progress of it?

Solution 1

As suggested above, in the future you can use screen to prevent such thing. A short explanation on how to use screen:

1. screen -S compiling_stuff
2. Do stuff here. e.g ./configure
3. If connection is closed for some reason you can reconnect to the server and issue screen -r comp
4. You can detach the screen session yourself too by pressing CTRL+A+D

Good luck

Solution 2

screen is the best to start a command in a terminal that will be kept when you disconnect from it (either on purpose, ctrl+a d, or because connection dies, etc).

HOWEVER you CAN re-attach a running process (ex: the shell of your running session, if still running) to your current terminal (ie, re-attach stdin, stdout, keyboard, but also make the new terminal the controlling terminal for that process) using: reptyr

For the best of both worlds: install screen, start it, and then re-attach that process in that screen sessions with reptyr ^^

Solution 3

You can't. In the future, you can prevent something like this with using screen or tmux, which where created to allow to reconnect to a session after a disconnect.

Solution 4

Just thought I would mention http://mosh.mit.edu/

Remote terminal application that allows roaming, supports intermittent connectivity, and provides intelligent local echo and line editing of user keystrokes.

Mosh is a replacement for SSH. It's more robust and responsive, especially over Wi-Fi, cellular, and long-distance links.

Solution 5

Use screen via ssh to reconnect later to your session.

As far as I know there is no way to reconnect to a closed ssh-session.

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Comments

[user3621202]

Oliver, how is it possible to re-attach to running process? Could you gimme a hint please?

[Olivier Dulac]

@archer : hint : follow the link ^^ (end of my 2nd paragraph)

[Olivier Dulac]

@archer : but screen is simpler: once runnign in screen, ctrl+a d : detach from screen (and go home). then to re-attach to screen: "screen -r" (or a more complex way, if things get stuck). To differentiate amongst many screen sessions, give them a name.

[Olivier Dulac]

+1 for the heads up, I never heard of that tool before!