How to Control Servers Remotely without a Computer

In today's digital age, the notion of working remotely doesn't necessarily tie you to a desktop or a laptop. In fact, you can control servers from the palm of your hand or even through voice commands. Here's a look at how you can manage servers remotely without a traditional computer.

### 1. **Smartphones & Tablets**

#### **SSH Apps:**

- **iOS:** Apps like Termius and Blink Shell provide SSH client capabilities for iPhone and iPad users.

- **Android:** JuiceSSH, ConnectBot, and Termux are popular SSH client apps for Android users.

Simply input your server details, and you can manage your server using command-line as if you were right there.

#### **Web-based Control Panels:**

Many web hosting services offer responsive control panels optimized for mobile browsers. This includes popular panels like cPanel, Plesk, and Webmin.

### 2. **Smart Home Devices**

With advancements in smart home technology, devices such as Amazon's Echo or Google's Nest Hub can be integrated with server commands using custom skills or routines.

- For instance, you can set up a routine where you say, “Hey Google, restart my server,” and behind the scenes, a script on a cloud service is triggered to perform the action.

### 3. **Dedicated Hardware**

Some remote management solutions are being built specifically for portable, non-traditional computing forms. For example:

- **KVM over IP devices:** These tools let you access the keyboard, video, and mouse interfaces of your server from anywhere. While it does require an initial hardware setup, you can then access these interfaces through various devices, including mobile.

### 4. **Use of Cloud Services**

Platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure offer mobile applications that let you manage and monitor your servers. These apps give you a GUI experience, optimized for smaller screens.

### 5. **SMS Commands**

This may sound archaic, but some server setups allow management via SMS commands. In this scenario, your server needs a GSM modem and specific software that listens for SMS commands. This can be handy in areas with limited internet connectivity.

### **Security Concerns:**

While all these methods offer convenience, security is a top concern:

1. **Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):** Ensure that any remote management tool you use supports 2FA. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of identification beyond just a password.

2. **VPN:** Using a Virtual Private Network when accessing your server can encrypt your connection, making it harder for eavesdroppers to intercept your data.

3. **Secure Keys:** Instead of passwords, use secure SSH keys, especially when using mobile SSH clients.

4. **Regular Updates:** Always keep your apps, software, and server OS up-to-date to protect against vulnerabilities.

### **Conclusion**

In an era dominated by digital transformation, being tethered to a traditional computer for server management is no longer a necessity. With the tools and methods mentioned above, you can effectively control servers on the go. However, always prioritize security and ensure that convenience doesn't compromise the safety of your server infrastructure