XPipe 19: SSH Manager now also supports old Unix systems
In version 19, the open-source SSH manager XPipe also connects to outdated Unix variants for the first time and supports pure SFTP.
(Image: XPipe)
The open-source SSH manager XPipe has been released in version 19. The main feature of the update is significantly improved compatibility with outdated Unix-based systems that have already reached the end of their lifecycle. According to developer Christopher Schnick, XPipe should now work with practically any system to which an SSH connection is possible at all – regardless of age.
XPipe is a desktop tool for managing SSH connections, primarily aimed at administrators. The open-source software offers a graphical file browser for remote systems and centrally manages all connections to servers, containers, and virtual machines. Until now, development focused on current systems, but in practice, IT departments often have to manage legacy infrastructures.
Connections to AIX and HP-UX
The new version fixes numerous compatibility issues with older Unix variants. For example, the SSH dialog now automatically recognizes supported encryption algorithms when a server offers outdated crypto methods that modern SSH clients no longer recognize. XPipe also bypasses limitations of older versions of the command-line tools find, tar, and dd, which are used in legacy systems.
Further adjustments concern systems where the sleep command does not accept decimal numbers or where the shell option set -u is set. The software can now also fully recognize AIX versions and correctly format the names of Unix-based non-Linux systems. IBM AIX and HP-UX are among the platforms that Schnick explicitly mentions in his blog post about XPipe 19.
Netbird integration and abstract hosts
New is the integration of the VPN tool Netbird: XPipe can now access devices in the Netbird network via SSH using the locally installed Netbird command line. For systems without shell access, version 19 introduces the concept of abstract hosts: Admins can use this to better organize connections to devices that only offer VNC, RDP, or web services – such as embedded systems or network devices.
The address can be specified inline or selected from existing XPipe entries. The software then automatically adapts the connection to the target system's capabilities. Multiple connections to the same host are displayed in a clearly grouped manner.
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SFTP-only systems and further improvements
XPipe 19 supports pure SFTP connections without SSH shell access for the first time. Such systems can be opened in the file browser, albeit with limited functionality, as no commands can be executed. The software can also read files via sudo if the current user does not have read permissions.
Other new features include support for Flatpak versions of various editors and terminals, improved drag-and-drop in the browser's navigation bar, and the option to automatically activate service tunnels on startup. The technical basis has been updated to JDK 25 and JavaFX 25.
XPipe 19 is available for download on the project website. The software runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The Nix package now also supports macOS. In addition to the free community version, companies can purchase XPipe in various commercial licenses that add further features.
(fo)
