What is Shell Access?

[Rightz]

I'm looking to get a host and looking at the things available at each domain package.

The 2 cheaper tariffs don't have Shell Access Available.

How will this limit me?

I want to use php scripts on the site. (not sure if this has anything to do with it?!)

[Rightz]

Is this anything to do ith htaccess?

[mack]

Shell access allows you to access the server using command prompt. You need an SSH program such as putty to connect to your server address, You can then issue shell commnds from your PC to the remote server.

Mack.

[Rightz]

Apologies to my ignorance but it this similar to ftp? I don't understand why one would need to connect to the server?

[coho75]

Shell access is different than FTP. Using FTP, you can upload and download files to your server. With shell access and third party software you can edit those files that are on the server. This is just one of the many things that you can do when you have shell access.

You might want to check out [en.wikipedia.org ]

[saucey]

Just wanted to note...

Shell access Is different than FTP... but you Can upload files with shell access using 'scp' (secure copy).

scp theUploadFile.html example.com:~yourAccount

This is mentioned in the wiki link in the previous post

[trillianjedi]

With shell access, you can control the machine as if you were sitting in front of it, rather than being limited by the (usually web based) "Control Panel" that the host provides.

How will this limit me?

That depends on how much server control has been implemented in the hosting company's control panel.

You may not need it. For most php/MySQL basic hosting, it's not really necessary.

If you need to run custom software on your server, or need "low level" access to the machine for any other reason, it's critical.

TJ