Hello everybody! I'm having a little trouble connecting to some of my favourite BBS using SSH in Syncterm 1.1b.
I doesn't apply to every BBS I try to connect but in many cases I have this strange error message afterwards:

Error -16 activating session
Couldn't create ECDH ephemeral key data

It only happens when trying SSH, it doesn't happnes in TELNET. Also, I see it's independet of the system runing the BBS itself.
When I try the SSH command in a regular linux terminal I have no issues whatsoever so, it's safe to assume my username and password are not the problem but rather a syncterm handling the keys.

I use the lastest syncterm build for 64-bit linux in Debian 10.
Any help will be really apreciated.
Thanks a lot. Cheers!
--- SBBSecho 3.09-Linux
* Origin: electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com (1:229/200)

Caco Byte wrote to All <=-

Hello everybody! I'm having a little trouble connecting to some of my favourite BBS using SSH in Syncterm 1.1b.
I doesn't apply to every BBS I try to connect but in many cases I have this strange error message afterwards:

Error -16 activating session
Couldn't create ECDH ephemeral key data

I haven't seen that when I use SyncTerm, but I only use Telnet.

The error has to do with trying to set up the SSH connection.

"ECDH" is "Elliptic-curve Diffie-Hellman" and it's a method for 2 systems to exchange a key without transmitting the key in the clear. So that's why you only see it with ssh. Telnet isn't encrypted. Ssh is.

It only happens when trying SSH, it doesn't happnes in TELNET. Also, I
see it's independet of the system runing the BBS itself.
When I try the SSH command in a regular linux terminal I have no issues whatsoever so, it's safe to assume my username and password are not the problem but rather a syncterm handling the keys.

My guess is that SyncTerm is using an old library.

One thing that bit me with this at work had to do with TLS. The older TLS versions are being deprecated.

When the systems connect, they negotiate what version of TLS they will use. Some systems don't negotiate correctly and try to use a deprecated version of TLS. Policies on the computer may prevent that deprecated version of TLS from being used (either on the client or the host).


... A .45 beats a royal flush EVERY TIME
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
* Origin: Diamond Mine Online BBS bbs.dmine.net:24 (1:275/89)

On Wed 4-Mar-2020 7:01p, Ron Lauzon@1:275/89.0 said to Caco Byte:

Hello everybody! I'm having a little trouble connecting to some of my favourite BBS using SSH in Syncterm 1.1b.
I doesn't apply to every BBS I try to connect but in many cases I

have

this strange error message afterwards:

What version of Syncterm are you using? I may be using a older version and my SSH is working fine here.

I haven't seen that when I use SyncTerm, but I only use Telnet.

The error has to do with trying to set up the SSH connection.

"ECDH" is "Elliptic-curve Diffie-Hellman" and it's a method for 2 systems to
exchange a key without transmitting the key in the clear. So that's why you
only see it with ssh. Telnet isn't encrypted. Ssh is.

That is why I switched to using SSH. Some of the issues that only happens when I am using Syncterm is it will loose the mouse pointer and the login macro stop working. The only to fix it the issue is to restart Syncterm.
--- CNet/5
* Origin: 1:275/201.0 (1:275/201.30)

That is why I switched to using SSH. Some of the issues that only happens w I am using Syncterm is it will loose the mouse pointer and the login macro stop working. The only to fix it the issue is to restart Syncterm.
--- CNet/5

Why is EVERYONE so afraid of things? Who the hell is gonna spy on a telnet connection? Better yet, WHAT are you doing on a BBS that you are worried you are being spied on? Telnet is fine.

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

On 5 Feb 21 16:48, T.J. Mcmillen said the following to Phillip Taylor:

Why is EVERYONE so afraid of things? Who the hell is gonna spy on a telne connection? Better yet, WHAT are you doing on a BBS that you are worried are being spied on? Telnet is fine.

Flirting with Violet in Lord could be seen by some women as "cheating".

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Re: Re: Syncterm error -16
By: T.J. Mcmillen to Phillip Taylor on Fri Feb 05 2021 04:48 pm

Why is EVERYONE so afraid of things? Who the hell is gonna spy on a telnet connection? Better yet, WHAT are you doing on a BBS that you are worried you are being spied on? Telnet is fine.

Telnet is a great thing, I use it all the time.

Secure protocols are great too.

Ttyl :-),
Al

... Please write your complaint in this box [ ] - Legibly
--- SBBSecho 3.12-Linux
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757.2)

On 05 Feb 2021, T.J. Mcmillen said the following...

Why is EVERYONE so afraid of things? Who the hell is gonna spy on a telnet connection? Better yet, WHAT are you doing on a BBS that you
are worried you are being spied on? Telnet is fine.

Plotting World domination? Exchanging videos of the Fido *Cs dancing naked around the Maypole? You know, the usual.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: theoasisbbs.ddns.net:1357

i wish WINS supported SSH
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: EMS!BBS - FIDOnet - 3:640/1115 www.ems-bbs.com (3:640/1115)

Re: Re: Syncterm error -16
By: SCOTT LABRECQUE to Alan Ianson on Fri Feb 05 2021 11:35 pm

i wish WINS supported SSH

I'm not sure WINS is still in active development but if it is I would support the addition of ssh if at all possible.

I'll still call a BBS that is just telnet but secure protocols are preferred.

Ttyl :-),
Al

... I'm sure it's all clearly explained in the Zmodem DOC's
--- SBBSecho 3.12-Linux
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757.2)

On 05 Feb 21 21:40:59, Charles Pierson said the following to T.J. Mcmillen:

Why is EVERYONE so afraid of things? Who the hell is gonna spy on a telnet connection? Better yet, WHAT are you doing on a BBS that you are worried you are being spied on? Telnet is fine.

Plotting World domination? Exchanging videos of the Fido *Cs dancing naked around the Maypole? You know, the usual.

I only appear nude in videos if its tasteful and organic to the plot.

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Why is EVERYONE so afraid of things? Who the hell is gonna spy on a telnet connection? Better yet, WHAT are you doing on a BBS that you are worried you are being spied on? Telnet is fine.

Plotting World domination? Exchanging videos of the Fido *Cs dancing nake around the Maypole? You know, the usual.

I only appear nude in videos if its tasteful and organic to the plot.

This is odd ... I never got this message, but I got the reply you wrote.

... The four food groups.. coffee, ice cream, beer and pizza!

--- Renegade v1.22a/DOS
* Origin: The Titantic BBS Telnet - ttb.rgbbs.info (1:129/305)

i wish WINS supported SSH

Me too, this is a question that Hector needs to hear though..

Joe Schweier
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: Joe's BBS -=joesbbs.com=- (1:342/200)

Re: Re: Syncterm error -16
By: SCOTT LABRECQUE to Alan Ianson on Fri Feb 05 2021 11:35 pm

i wish WINS supported SSH

I'm not sure WINS is still in active development but if it is I would support
the addition of ssh if at all possible.

I'll still call a BBS that is just telnet but secure protocols are preferred.

It is... Hector seems to put all, or most, of his effort on the web side
of the package.. Anyway... most of the BBS users just use the telnet
side..

Joe Schweier

--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: Joe's BBS -=joesbbs.com=- (1:342/200)

On 06 Feb 2021, Nick Andre said the following...

Plotting World domination? Exchanging videos of the Fido *Cs dancing around the Maypole? You know, the usual.

I only appear nude in videos if its tasteful and organic to the plot.

You had to make the cowbell stand out.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: theoasisbbs.ddns.net:1357

Re: Re: Syncterm error -16
By: Ib Joe to Alan Ianson on Sat Feb 06 2021 10:54 am

It is... Hector seems to put all, or most, of his effort on the web side of the package.. Anyway... most of the BBS users just use the telnet side..

I think it is the complexity and dependencies of ssh that holds it back.

Ttyl :-),
Al

... (Tagline under construction)
--- SBBSecho 3.12-Linux
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757.2)

it's "semi active". Santronics still markets it, and offers support for
it. Trickling in are minor features, as well as stuff the remaining
enterprise customers need to keep it going. I don't forseeing him
offering SSH/RLOGIN as connection options. I'm still glad we have telnet
access ;)


--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: EMS!BBS - FIDOnet - 3:640/1115 www.ems-bbs.com (3:640/1115)

Re: Re: Syncterm error -16
By: SCOTT LABRECQUE to Alan Ianson on Sat Feb 06 2021 01:46 am

I don't forseeing him offering SSH/RLOGIN as connection options. I'm still glad we have telnet access ;)

You never know what might happen in the future. In the mean time we use what we have.

Ttyl :-),
Al

... Thesaurus: ancient reptile with an excellent vocabulary
--- SBBSecho 3.12-Linux
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757.2)

Re: Re: Syncterm error -16
By: Ib Joe to Alan Ianson on Sat Feb 06 2021 10:54 am

It is... Hector seems to put all, or most, of his effort on the web side
of the package.. Anyway... most of the BBS users just use the telnet side..

I think it is the complexity and dependencies of ssh that holds it back.

Ttyl :-),
Al

There is one major thing I do not like about WINServer is that the
terminal side is stuck in 1990 something... free packages like
SynchroNET and Mystic BBS have moved miles away from the 90s.

WINServer stands heads above the rest on most other aspects to BBSes,
web side, but GOD... ther terminal side needs some looking into.

:)
Joe Schweier
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: Joe's BBS -=joesbbs.com=- (1:342/200)

On 06 Feb 21 17:24:39, Charles Pierson said the following to Nick Andre:

Plotting World domination? Exchanging videos of the Fido *Cs danc around the Maypole? You know, the usual.

I only appear nude in videos if its tasteful and organic to the plot.

You had to make the cowbell stand out.

I'm not opposed to appearing nude in any videos with cowbells, either as a plot device crucial to the story or merely something I'm playing to advance the dramatics of the scene being filmed.

Since some take SSH with a BBS so freaking seriously, its an SSH cowbell.

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

On 06 Feb 21 11:33:46, T.J. Mcmillen said the following to Nick Andre:

Plotting World domination? Exchanging videos of the Fido *Cs dancing nake around the Maypole? You know, the usual.

I only appear nude in videos if its tasteful and organic to the plot.

This is odd ... I never got this message, but I got the reply you wrote.

Investigating.

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

On 06 Feb 21 11:33:46, T.J. Mcmillen said the following to Nick Andre:

This is odd ... I never got this message, but I got the reply you wrote.

Should be fixed now.

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

This is odd ... I never got this message, but I got the reply you wrote.

Investigating.

Wow .. I never got any of these ....

... To live now, first come to terms with your past.

Okay got these ....

... Apathy Error: Don't Bother Striking Any Key

--- Renegade v1.22a/DOS
* Origin: The Titantic BBS Telnet - ttb.rgbbs.info (1:129/305)

This is odd ... I never got this message, but I got the reply you wrote.

Investigating.

Wow .. I never got any of these ....

... To live now, first come to terms with your past.

--- Renegade v1.22/DOS
* Origin: PB Renegade (gapbbs.rdfig.net:2424) Mesquite, Tx (1:124/5014.2)

Should be fixed now.

This one came thru to my BBS ... so we'll play it by ear ....

... I am free of all prejudices. I hate every one equally.

--- Renegade v1.22/DOS
* Origin: PB Renegade (gapbbs.rdfig.net:2424) Mesquite, Tx (1:124/5014.2)

That is why I switched to using SSH. Some of the issues that only happen
I am using Syncterm is it will loose the mouse pointer and the login mac
stop working. The only to fix it the issue is to restart Syncterm.
--- CNet/5

Why is EVERYONE so afraid of things? Who the hell is gonna spy on a telnet
connection? Better yet, WHAT are you doing on a BBS that you are worried y
are being spied on? Telnet is fine.

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

I think everyone is shit crazy about security these days. To me, SSH
takes away the fun of accessing a BBS. I agree with you. What is one
doing a BBS that requires a secure connection anyway? Most BBSes only
has for a username and password and nothing else.

... This Tagline is so old, I don't know why I stole it.
--- Wildcat! v8.0.454.10 (May 26 2020), Editor Mod v2.1
* Origin: Omicron Theta (1:116/18)

Why is EVERYONE so afraid of things? Who the hell is gonna spy on a te
connection? Better yet, WHAT are you doing on a BBS that you are worri
are being spied on? Telnet is fine.

Flirting with Violet in Lord could be seen by some women as "cheating".

ROTFLMAO!!!

... AARRGGHH!! These aren't Taglines!! They're infestations!!
--- Wildcat! v8.0.454.10 (May 26 2020), Editor Mod v2.1
* Origin: Omicron Theta (1:116/18)

Re: Re: Syncterm error -16
By: SCOTT LABRECQUE to Alan Ianson on Fri Feb 05 2021 11:35 pm

i wish WINS supported SSH

I'm not sure WINS is still in active development but if it is I would suppor
the addition of ssh if at all possible.

I'll still call a BBS that is just telnet but secure protocols are preferred

Ttyl :-),
Al

... I'm sure it's all clearly explained in the Zmodem DOC's
--- SBBSecho 3.12-Linux
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757.2)

Actually, WINS is still in development, updated, supported, and sold -- http://www.santronics.com.

... See the USELESS INVENTIONS Taglines, by Rick Burwell!
--- Wildcat! v8.0.454.10 (May 26 2020), Editor Mod v2.1
* Origin: Omicron Theta (1:116/18)

Re: Re: Syncterm error -16
By: SCOTT LABRECQUE to Alan Ianson on Fri Feb 05 2021 11:35 pm

i wish WINS supported SSH

I'm not sure WINS is still in active development but if it is I would

support

the addition of ssh if at all possible.

I'll still call a BBS that is just telnet but secure protocols are

preferred.

It is... Hector seems to put all, or most, of his effort on the web side
of the package.. Anyway... most of the BBS users just use the telnet
side..

Joe Schweier

--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: Joe's BBS -=joesbbs.com=- (1:342/200)

If you want a secure connection, stick with https on the web side and
stay off the telnet side.

... See the USELESS INVENTIONS Taglines, by Rick Burwell!
--- Wildcat! v8.0.454.10 (May 26 2020), Editor Mod v2.1
* Origin: Omicron Theta (1:116/18)

On 17 Feb 21 23:02:46, Robert Wolfe said the following to T.J. Mcmillen:

I think everyone is shit crazy about security these days. To me, SSH takes away the fun of accessing a BBS. I agree with you. What is one doing a BBS that requires a secure connection anyway? Most BBSes only
has for a username and password and nothing else.

Most BBS software does not check for "secure passwords" either.

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

It is... Hector seems to put all, or most, of his effort on the web side of the package.. Anyway... most of the BBS users just use the telnet side..

Joe Schweier

If you want a secure connection, stick with https on the web side and
stay off the telnet side.

I cannot seem to logon to the web side of my BBS... And that doesn't
hide the fact that Hector should add SSH to the terminal side.
WINServer is a spectacular package, just lacks on the terminal side of
the BBS... Too Bad!!!

Joe Schweier
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: Joe's BBS -=joesbbs.com=- (1:342/200)

It is... Hector seems to put all, or most, of his effort on the web si
of the package.. Anyway... most of the BBS users just use the telnet side..

Joe Schweier

If you want a secure connection, stick with https on the web side and stay off the telnet side.

I cannot seem to logon to the web side of my BBS... And that doesn't
hide the fact that Hector should add SSH to the terminal side.
WINServer is a spectacular package, just lacks on the terminal side of
the BBS... Too Bad!!!

Joe Schweier
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: Joe's BBS -=joesbbs.com=- (1:342/200)

Why can't you log in to the telnet side of your BBS? I can just fine.
:)

... See the FREEFALL Sex Taglines, by John Torpey!
--- Wildcat! v8.0.454.10 (May 26 2020), Editor Mod v2.1
* Origin: Omicron Theta (1:116/18)

It is... Hector seems to put all, or most, of his effort on the web si
of the package.. Anyway... most of the BBS users just use the telnet side..

Joe Schweier

If you want a secure connection, stick with https on the web side and stay off the telnet side.

I cannot seem to logon to the web side of my BBS... And that doesn't
hide the fact that Hector should add SSH to the terminal side.
WINServer is a spectacular package, just lacks on the terminal side of
the BBS... Too Bad!!!

Joe Schweier
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: Joe's BBS -=joesbbs.com=- (1:342/200)

Oh, the WEB side. Might want to mention this in WILDCAT!_SUPPORT so we
can try to help you out more there since it is BBS software-specific.

... This Tagline printed with 100% recycled photons.
--- Wildcat! v8.0.454.10 (May 26 2020), Editor Mod v2.1
* Origin: Omicron Theta (1:116/18)

It is... Hector seems to put all, or most, of his effort on the web si

of the package.. Anyway... most of the BBS users just use the telnet
side..

Joe Schweier

If you want a secure connection, stick with https on the web side and
stay off the telnet side.

I cannot seem to logon to the web side of my BBS... And that doesn't hide the fact that Hector should add SSH to the terminal side.
WINServer is a spectacular package, just lacks on the terminal side of the BBS... Too Bad!!!

Why can't you log in to the telnet side of your BBS? I can just fine.
:)

I cannot log onto the HTML side...

Given up for a bit.. :)


Joe
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: Joe's BBS -=joesbbs.com=- (1:342/200)

whatis the editor mod 2.1?
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: EMS!BBS - FIDOnet - 3:640/1115 www.ems-bbs.com (3:640/1115)

whatis the editor mod 2.1?
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: EMS!BBS - FIDOnet - 3:640/1115 www.ems-bbs.com

(3:640/1115)

It is a modification to EDITOR.WC that forces the user to enter a
message into the line editor (but the user can go back to the FSE if
they want to) which enables tagline edition. I plan on additng
signature text file addition to it at some point.

I also plan on adding a "profanity check before send" feature in the
not too distant future as well.

... Phoenix: official handle of the Taglines echo.
--- Wildcat! v8.0.454.10 (May 26 2020), Editor Mod v2.1
* Origin: Omicron Theta (1:116/18)

Re: Re: Syncterm error -16
By: ROBERT WOLFE to Ib Joe on Thu Feb 18 2021 11:01 am

Why can't you log in to the telnet side of your BBS? I can just fine.
:)

I cannot log on to the web side of my BBS
--- SBBSecho 3.12-Win32
* Origin: The Fool's Quarter, fqbbs.synchro.net (1:105/500)