Help starting a SSH + SVN setup that works

[xeoncross]

I have used TortoiseSVN now for a couple months and have been able to download repos over HTTP and update my projects on code.google.com.

Then enters SSH access.

I just started on a project that requires a login from SSH before you can get to the SVN part. (or at least I think that is what is happening). So far I have tried Putty, SSH 3.2.4, QSvn, and TortoiseSVN and I can't seem to connect to the site.

I am used to svn http://site.com/subversion/
But when using SSH I keep seeing URL's like:
svn+ssh://user@site.com/subversion

Is that right? Of course none of this works from the command line (windows has no idea what "svn" is) so I am having to use the command line of these programs (or GUI).

The only thing I have been able to get working is WinSCP which is FTP over SSH - but it isn't for SVN stuff - just FTP file browsing.

I found some videos: http://showmedo.com/videos/video?name=950080&fromSeriesID=95
the book: http://svnbook.red-bean.com/
and I just can't figure out how all of this works together.

The other people on the project are on Mac/Linux so they just go to the command prompt and type in whatever and it works (or that is what they tell me).

How are SVN SSH url's constructed?
What is the best program to use for this?
What is all this about creating Keys?
Where should I look for more information?

Thanks ahead for any help you can give!

[JNiven]

Hi xeoncross

Not sure if this is the best advice, so shout if it's not - I'm assuming that you're experienced enough with Subversion to be comfortable learning how to sue the command line version.

Since you're working on the project with people who use the command line client I'd suggest that you do the same - it'll make communication easier, in that they can say "execute this command..." and the command should work for you on Windows. With that in mind, I'd recommend the vanilla command line client: http://subversion.tigris.org/getting.html#windows (don't worry about which version of Apache, etc, you're not going to be using the server component of the package, just the client).

TortoiseSVN's documentation is superb, and based quite close on the documentation for vanilla Subversion (which you've already found, but I'll link again for clarity): http://svnbook.red-bean.com/en/1.5/. The Subversion manual is probably the best resource for information; certainly it will cover your questions about URLs and keys. It can be quite heavy-going at first though, so read it through several times and don't be afraid to play around - you can create your own repositories locally and play with them. Since you're interested in svn+ssh URLs you won't need to worry about setting up Apache or svnserve servers so creating repositories should be easier.

Good luck, and shout if you run into difficulties.

Cheers
John
_________________
John Niven

[xeoncross]

Thank you soooooo much JNiven. I didn't even know you could download a SVN client from http://subversion.tigris.org

I downloaded http://www.sliksvn.com and I installed the complete thing (svnserve and all) and opened up the cmd line and windows now knows what "svn" means! yes!

I connected to my code.google.com site just fine (https:) and I guess it used my current browser session because I didn't even need to login to commit changes to files. So SVN over HTTP(S) is working fine.

However, I keep getting "cannot create tunnel. system cannot find the file specified." when I try to use a the SSH + SVN checkout. My guess is that I am not typing the url the right way. I have tried all of these and none of them work.

[JNiven]

Hi xeoncross

I assume that those sites do allow svn+ssh URLs (i.e. they're not solely http or svn)?

It might be worth checking with the sites' admins or other users what URLs to use, etc. One thing that does spring to mind is that they may use private/public keys to authenticate, in which case you'll need to get a key from the site admin instead of specifying a username. FWIW, the URLs do look OK to me, but I'm more used to http/https URLs so take what I say with a pinch of salt...!

Cheers
John
_________________
John Niven

[xeoncross]

[xeoncross]

Ok, I went and downloaded OpenSSH for windows to try to create a SSH link before I connect to the SVN. (maybe Silksvn will just use the tunnel)

But the command line "freezes" when I try to type in my ssh password. The same thing that happens to me in Putty (I have never gotten it to work yet).

Here is what I do:

[xeoncross]

I was finally able to login with Bitvise Tunnelier. However, my command promt still will only allow me to press "enter" when it asks for my password.

[dpavlyukov]