SSH: how to perform a remote command with a parameter

[David_246]

Hi,

I make use of ssh since a couple of months.
Now we try to run the following command using ssh :
serverA # ssh -ttt server1 "/sbin/init.d/logsurfer restart"

Now looking at server1 I can see the command comming in :

sh -c /sbin/init.d/logsurfer restart

Now it doesn't work, when I perform this command manualy it also doesn't work as it needs to be quoted :

sh -c "/sbin/init.d/logsurfer restart"

I tried several ways to get ssh report the command quoted to the remote machine, so as one command. Unfortunetly this never worked out. Anyone a suggestion ?


Best Regs David

[Simone Benzi_1]

Ciao David,

Try to run:

ssh -ttt server1 "\"/sbin/init.d/logsurfer restart\""

regards,

Simone

[David_246]

Hi Simone,

Thanks for the input!
Unfortunetly I tried this as well, and please see the result. I can asure you this is the exact command !!

Regs David

# ssh -ttt server1 "\"/sbin/init.d/logsurfer restart\""
sh: /sbin/init.d/logsurfer restart: not found.
Connection to server1 closed.

[Simone Benzi_1]

Ciao David,

Is it possible for you to try the command with the ksh instead the sh?

Simone

[David_246]

Nope, not possible.
I can give it a /bin/ksh previous to the command to perform, but it gives me, with or without quotes, the same errors.
Unfortunetly ssh invokes the sh -c on the remote system, so that will not be possible to change.

Any other suggestions? :)

Regs David

[Massimo Bianchi]

Hi,
the "not found" is because with the "" the command is interpreted as a whole command, not a command plus parameteres.

Why do you repeat 3 times the -t (-ttt)?

easy solution, but not nice: create two script that perform
"logsurfer stop" and "logsurfer start"

nicer: tear away the "" :)
ssh -ttt server1 /sbin/init.d/logsurfer restart

it works for me (besides -tt).

Massimo

[Steven E. Protter]

No itent to hijack.

I've seen a similar problem with ssh though, didn't realize this could be the cause. ssh calls use the Posix Shell?

-t says its to force psuedo terminal allocation.

what about -T to force it not to do that. Your script is a root startup script, it doesn't need a psuedo terminal.

SEP

[David_246]

Steve,

I confirm, you must be good. But a restart now works, but I just never get back my prompt :(

So initiating a :

ssh -T server1 "/sbin/init.d/logsurfer restart"

does restart logsurfer, but never gives back my # (prompt). Any ideas.

Regs David

[Steven E. Protter]

I'd say lucky rather than good.

man page has a few possible options for termination:


~. Disconnect

~^Z Background ssh

~# List forwarded connections


Can't say I know how to implement it. This thread interests me because I have an ssh call core dumping right now and I need to figure out how to get it to use the Korn shell, because the app thats dumping needs that shell.

If this finishes, post back the final resolution.

sEP

[Massimo Bianchi · Accepted solution]

Try with

ssh -f ...

to send it to background, since you don't need a pty.

Massimo

[Steven E. Protter]

I think Massimo is right.

ssh -f -T server1 "/sbin/init.d/logsurfer restart"

See what happens.

SEP

[David_246]

Ha, solution when perfoming this task in an automated job( so no chance to type interactivly ~. ~& or any other) :

ssh -f -T server1 "/sbin/init.d/logsurfer restart"

So, that's mine. Steve, you still should be able to do the following :

ssh "/bin/ksh "

Maybe this can be your solution.
Thanks for your help in it !! If you have a core file you can send it to me and I'll try to analyze it. Just let me know if you need my help in it.


Regs David

[David_246]

We were all typing the same solution at the same time, so three people found the same solution. Who is giving me points :)

For al other persons. Case closed, information shareable.

Regs David