Introduction

Have you ever wanted SSH or telnet access to your system from an “internet desert” - from behind a strict firewall, from an internet cafe, or even from a mobile phone? Anyterm is a combination of a web page and a process that runs on your web server that provides this access - see the demos.

Anyterm can use almost any web browser and even works through firewalls. If you join my.anyterm.org you can access your systems straight away via our server with no software to install anywhere. Alternatively, you can run the Anyterm software on your own system - see Installation.

We can also help you to integrate Anyterm-type functionality into your own applicatons, for example to web-enable a legacy system, or an embedded system. Contact us for details.

How It Works

Anyterm consists of some Javascript on a web page, an XmlHttpRequest channel on standard ports back to the server, an HTTP proxy such as Apache's mod_proxy and the Anyterm daemon. The daemon uses a pseudo-terminal to communicate with a shell or other application, and includes terminal emulation. Key presses are picked up by the Javscript which sends them to the daemon; changes to the emulated screen are sent from the daemon to the Javascript which updates its display. Performance is quite reasonable and SSL can be used to secure the connection.

my.anyterm.org

my.anyterm.org is designed for systems administrators and others who want the benefit of access from anywhere using Anyterm, but who don't want to risk installing the Anyterm software on their own servers. For a small charge you can use our Anyterm installation to connect to your own systems.

History & Status

Anyterm was created in 2005 out of personal need. Sicne then that need has gone away, but the code continues to be maintained when necessary. Do please get in touch if you have any questions.

Requirements

Anyterm is developed on Linux but there is a good chance that it will run on other Unix-like operating system. It should work with most web browsers, including reasonably modern versions of Firefox and Safari. Feedback about other browsers would be appreciated.

License

The Anyterm code is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).

So you are free to use Anyterm in any application, including commerical use. If you want to distribute something that includes the Anyterm code, then that must also be distributed under the same free license.

(Please get in touch if you are unclear about your obligations under the GPL or if you'd like to discuss other licensing possibilities.)

Support

Anyterm has no warranty. There used to be a support forum, but it was ruined by spammers. Now you will need to contact me by email if you have any questions.

If your business would like to deploy Anyterm on your servers, or add Anyterm-like functionality to your own product, please get in touch. We may be able to help.

The Author

Anyterm is the work of Phil Endecott. Contact email here.

Getting started

If you want to install Anyterm, see the download page and then the installation instructions. Alterntively you can just join my.anyterm.org and get the benefits without the effort!