need help scripting multiple xfree startups

[Harold Hunt]

Dennis,

I always launch Cygwin/XFree86 from an icon on the desktop that points to
the startxwin.bat file in c:\cygwin\usr\X11R6\bin.  The batch file starts an
xterm and when the xterm pops up I run:

ssh -X -C username@hostname

I type in my password and that is it.

As for avoiding typing in your password, I can say a few things, but I can't
hold your hand on this one.  You should already know that saving a password
on a computer in plaintext represents a huge security risk.  With that being
said, I am sure that you know that ssh allows you to use keys to verify the
identity of a user and to provide authentication (via a password check).
You can, I am told, clear the password on an ssh key.  Clearing the password
on an ssh key is just a dangerous as saving a password to disk in plaintext.

However, if you are willing to except the risks of having an ssh key with no
password, then I suggest that you search google for ``OpenSSH'' and read the
docs on their site about how to change the password on a key, etc.  I have
never personally done this, so I cannot provide any further details.

Harold

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cygwin-xfree-owner@cygwin.com
> [mailto:cygwin-xfree-owner@cygwin.com]On Behalf Of Dennis Foreman
> Sent: Sunday, July 21, 2002 2:30 PM
> To: cygwin-xfree@cygwin.com
> Subject: need help scripting multiple xfree startups
>
>
> Hi,
> I need some hints on how to reduce the manual efforts in logging
> in remotely
> under ssh.
> Currently I can start Xfree using these steps:
> 1. Open a Cygwin window.
> 2a. run: ssh -Xl myuserid UNIX_system_domain_name
> 2b. enter password
> 3. open ANOTHER Cygwin window
> 4. in this new window, run: startxwin.sh
> 5. click to place the xterm on the X desktop
> 6. run my program
>
> I need to repeat this 8 more times for each of 8 different machines. Is
> there some way of automating this? (Yes, I know a script will do
> it. I need
> some detailed help on what to put in the script.) Especially eliminating
> having to type a pw every time and clicking to establish the
> Xwindow on the
> X desktop.
>
> regards,
> D. J. Foreman
> website: http://WWW.CS.Binghamton.EDU/~foreman
>