The Apple Geek

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iSH for iOS

As the iPad becomes more of a mobile computer, it excels in some aspects and lacks in another, for me to make the switch to truly iPad only day driving when out and about, I need a terminal service or terminal emulator.

Terminus is a great ssh client for iOS/iPad utterly brilliant, and I will be covering this app in more detail, but when you don't have a physical device to SSH in to, the need for terminal local is where the iPad falls down, this is until I found iSH 

It brings a Linux shell environment to iOS with the ability to install packages such as iperf3, turning the iPad into a perfect companion device for those tricky networks or comms room jobs. 

iperf3 in server mode

Using the command  'apk add' followed by the package you can install pretty much anything.

I have installed within mine 

  • iperf3

  • cmatrix (just because)

  • nmap

cmatrix running

A few quick commands, for iSH. Most things if you're not running standard linux commands such as ‘history’ or ‘ps’ or even ‘uptime’ the command will start with 'apk'…

  • apk add <package name> installs the package

  • apk del <package name> deletes it

  • apk --help loads a help document

  • apk info shows whats installed within iSH

  • apk fix repairs or upgrades a package

Loads of info inside both the help and info commands.

Its a great app and no doubt you’ll see more screenshots no the site as I use it more, Speedtest-cli currently has a upstream error which doesn’t allow it to run, there is a couple of work arounds posted on the web, which I need to try.