Nu - Server Connection Manager 🚀

Nu is a lightweight Bash script that simplifies frequent interactions with remote servers by creating custom, executable shortcuts for SSH connections, SSHFS mounting, and remote command execution.

With Nu, you can instantly SSH into servers, mount remote directories locally, or execute advanced workflows like command chaining and file transfers—all with intuitive, user-defined names.

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🌟 Features

• Custom SSH Shortcuts
  Create executable scripts in ~/bin/ for instant access to servers using memorable names (e.g., Saruman).

• SSHFS Mounting
  Transparently mount remote server directories locally using SSHFS for seamless file access.

• Advanced Command Chaining
  Execute commands remotely, pipe output to/from remote systems, and transfer files via command-line tools (e.g., tar, rsync).

• Persistent Configuration
  Store server configurations in ~/mnt/ and reuse access scripts across sessions without reconfiguration.

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🛠️ How It Works

When you run:

Nu SERVERNAME USERNAME IPADDRESS PORT

Nu performs the following steps:

1. Creates a mount point at ~/mnt/SERVERNAME.
2. Generates two executable scripts in ~/bin/:
   • SERVERNAME: A shortcut for SSH connections with agent forwarding (-A) and X11 forwarding (-X).
   • MountSERVERNAME: A script to mount the remote server's home directory locally using SSHFS.
3. Enables advanced workflows like:
   • Remote command execution:

     Saruman 'uname -a'

   • File transfer via pipes:

     tar zcf - helloworld | Saruman 'zxvf -'

   • Remote-to-local data streaming:

     Saruman 'tar jcf - helloworld' | tar zxvf -

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🧪 Usage Examples

Basic Usage

Nu Saruman root 65.67.51.189 2222

SSH into the Server

Saruman

Mount Remote Directory Locally

MountSaruman

Execute a Remote Command

Saruman 'uname -a' > helloworld

Transfer Files via Pipe

tar zcf - helloworld | Saruman 'zxvf -'

Stream Data from Remote

Saruman 'tar jcf - helloworld' | tar zxvf -

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🧰 Installation & Setup

1. Ensure ~/bin is in your PATH:

   export PATH=~/bin:$PATH

2. Install dependencies:

   • sshfs (for mounting remote directories).
   • bash (required for script execution).

3. Install using autotools:

aclocal
autoconf
automake --add-missing
./configure
sudo make install

or use ./build.sh to do the same thing.

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🧭 Troubleshooting

• Permission Denied Errors: Ensure the USERNAME has SSH access to the remote server.
• SSHFS Not Found: Install sshfs via your package manager (e.g., sudo apt install sshfs).
• Scripts Not Found: Verify ~/bin is in your PATH and scripts are marked as executable.

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📄 License

This project is licensed under the terms of the LICENSE file.