SshTunnel Zig Reference Documentation

SshTunnel

Current Version: 11.6.1

Chilkat.SshTunnel

Create SSH tunnels for secure local, fixed-destination, dynamic, and multi-hop forwarding.

Chilkat.SshTunnel creates SSH tunnels for forwarding local client connections through an SSH server to a destination service, such as a database server or other TCP service. It supports fixed destination forwarding, dynamic SOCKS-style port forwarding, password and public-key authentication, keyboard-interactive authentication, proxy connections to the SSH server, multi-hop SSH connections, background accept threads, tunnel/client logging, secure secret lookup, and connection diagnostics.

Local port forwarding

Listen on a local port and forward accepted client connections through an SSH server to a configured destination host and port.

Dynamic forwarding

Enable SOCKS-style dynamic port forwarding when each client connection should choose its own destination through the tunnel.

SSH authentication

Authenticate to the SSH server using passwords, public keys, password-plus-key, secure password lookup, or keyboard-interactive authentication.

Proxy and multi-hop access

Reach the SSH server through HTTP or SOCKS proxies, or build tunnels through an existing SSH connection for multi-hop scenarios.

Accept and manage clients

Start accepting client connections in the background, inspect current state, stop accepting new clients, and disconnect active tunnel clients.

Logging and diagnostics

Use accept logs, tunnel logs, current-state XML, and LastErrorText to troubleshoot SSH connection, forwarding, authentication, or client-connection problems.

Common pattern: Configure the SSH server, authentication method, local listen settings, and destination forwarding options, then call BeginAccepting to start the tunnel. Local client applications connect to the tunnel's listen port, and SshTunnel forwards the traffic through SSH. Use Chilkat.SshTunnel for port forwarding; use Chilkat.Ssh for direct SSH sessions, commands, channels, and shell access.
Start with the SSH Tunneling Guide

Learn how static forwarding, dynamic SOCKS forwarding, multi-hop tunneling, proxies, background threads, lifecycle management, and troubleshooting fit together.

Open the SshTunnel Guide

Object Creation

// Add the package once:
//     zig fetch --save https://chilkatdownload.com/11.6.1/chilkat-zig-11.6.1.tar.gz
// and in build.zig:
//     const chilkat = b.dependency("chilkat", .{ .target = target, .optimize = optimize });
//     exe.root_module.addImport("chilkat", chilkat.module("chilkat"));
const chilkat = @import("chilkat");

// Once per process, before any other Chilkat call:
try chilkat.unlockBundle("Anything for 30-day trial");

const ssh_tunnel = try chilkat.SshTunnel.init();
defer ssh_tunnel.deinit();
pub fn init() Allocator.Error!SshTunnel

Creates the underlying native Chilkat object. SshTunnel is a one-pointer struct passed by value; copying it copies the handle (two names for one object). Returns error.OutOfMemory if the library could not allocate the object. Use an object from one thread at a time; it may be handed from one thread to another.

pub fn deinit(self: SshTunnel) void

Releases the native object. Call it exactly once per object (usually with defer); the handle is invalid afterwards. Objects returned by methods are owned by the caller too and are released the same way.

pub fn fromHandle(h: *chilkat.c.CkSshTunnel.HCkSshTunnel) SshTunnel

Wraps a handle obtained from the C API (chilkat.c.CkSshTunnel), taking ownership of it. The struct's handle field goes the other way, for anything the Zig API does not cover.

Errors and memory

Methods that can fail return an error union: a method whose only outcome is success or failure returns Error!void; a method producing a string returns (Error || Allocator.Error)![:0]u8; a method producing an object returns Error!T. chilkat.Error is error{ChilkatFailed}; the reason for a failure is in getLastErrorText, and the object remains usable. Properties never fail, and methods that answer a question (hasMember, isUnlocked, ...) return a plain bool.

String arguments are [:0]const u8 (UTF-8; string literals can be passed as is). String results are copies allocated with the allocator argument and owned by the caller, so they stay valid across later calls on the same object.

const text = ssh_tunnel.someMethod(allocator, ...) catch |err| {
    const why = try ssh_tunnel.getLastErrorText(allocator);
    defer allocator.free(why);
    std.debug.print("{s}\n", .{why});
    return err;
};
defer allocator.free(text);

Properties

AbortCurrent
// read/write
pub fn getAbortCurrent(self: SshTunnel) bool
pub fn setAbortCurrent(self: SshTunnel, value: bool) void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.58

Set this property to true from another thread to request that the currently running foreground operation be aborted. For example, it can interrupt a synchronous Connect that is waiting for an SSH server response.

This property does not stop the background listener or terminate established background tunnel clients.

Do not assume the property is automatically reset after an operation is aborted. It may remain true; set it back to false before starting another operation.

More Information and Examples
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AcceptLog
// read/write
pub fn getAcceptLog(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setAcceptLog(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void

Contains the in-memory activity log for the background listener thread started by BeginAccepting.

The log is populated only when KeepAcceptLog is true.

More Information and Examples
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AcceptLogPath
// read/write
pub fn getAcceptLogPath(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setAcceptLogPath(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.50

Specifies the local file path where activity from the background listener thread is written.

This file-based log is separate from the in-memory AcceptLog.

More Information and Examples
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ClientIdentifier
// read/write
pub fn getClientIdentifier(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setClientIdentifier(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.95

Specifies the SSH client-identification string sent when connecting to the SSH server.

Starting in Chilkat v9.5.0.99, the default is SSH-2.0-Chilkat_ followed by the Chilkat version number, such as SSH-2.0-Chilkat_9.5.0.99.

The identifier should begin with SSH-2.0-. Some SSH servers disconnect clients that send an invalid identification string.

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ClientLogDir
// read/write
pub fn getClientLogDir(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setClientLogDir(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void
Introduced in version 11.1.0

Specifies the local directory where a separate log file is created for each tunnel client.

When this property is not empty, files are named using the pattern tunnel_client_log_{random_id}.txt.

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ConnectTimeoutMs
// read/write
pub fn getConnectTimeoutMs(self: SshTunnel) i32
pub fn setConnectTimeoutMs(self: SshTunnel, value: i32) void

Specifies the maximum number of milliseconds allowed for establishing the SSH connection.

  • The default value is 30000 milliseconds (30 seconds).
  • A value of 0 disables the connection timeout and allows an unlimited wait.

The timeout applies to more than the initial TCP connection. It also covers connection setup performed through an HTTP or SOCKS proxy and waiting for the SSH server identification string after the TCP connection has been established.

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DebugLogFilePath
// read/write
pub fn getDebugLogFilePath(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setDebugLogFilePath(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void

If set to a file path, this property logs the LastErrorText of each Chilkat method or property call to the specified file. This logging helps identify the context and history of Chilkat calls leading up to any crash or hang, aiding in debugging.

Enabling the VerboseLogging property provides more detailed information. This property is mainly used for debugging rare instances where a Chilkat method call causes a hang or crash, which should generally not happen.

Possible causes of hangs include:

  • A timeout property set to 0, indicating an infinite timeout.
  • A hang occurring within an event callback in the application code.
  • An internal bug in the Chilkat code causing the hang.

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DestHostname
// read/write
pub fn getDestHostname(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setDestHostname(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void

Specifies the destination hostname or IP address for fixed-destination port forwarding. This is typically the host running the database server or other TCP service that local clients need to reach.

The destination is interpreted from the SSH server's network environment. For example, localhost and 127.0.0.1 refer to the SSH server itself, not the computer running the application. Hostname resolution is therefore performed as part of the forwarding request on the SSH-server side.

Traffic accepted by the local listener is carried through SSH, forwarded by the SSH server to this destination, and returned through the same tunnel.

This property is ignored when DynamicPortForwarding is true. Changing the destination while the listener is running affects new clients only; existing clients remain connected to the destination selected when they were accepted.

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DestPort
// read/write
pub fn getDestPort(self: SshTunnel) i32
pub fn setDestPort(self: SshTunnel, value: i32) void

Specifies the TCP port of the destination service used for fixed-destination forwarding, such as the port of a database server.

It is used together with DestHostname and is ignored when DynamicPortForwarding is true.

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DynamicPortForwarding
// read/write
pub fn getDynamicPortForwarding(self: SshTunnel) bool
pub fn setDynamicPortForwarding(self: SshTunnel, value: bool) void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.50

Controls whether the listener performs fixed-destination or dynamic port forwarding.

  • When false (the default), every accepted connection is forwarded to DestHostname and DestPort.
  • When true, the listener acts as a SOCKS proxy and each inbound client supplies its own destination.

The SOCKS version is detected independently from each inbound client handshake; there is no separate inbound SOCKS-version property. SOCKS4 and SOCKS5 CONNECT requests are supported. SOCKS5 BIND and UDP association are not supported.

Leave InboundSocksUsername empty to allow SOCKS5 clients to use the no-authentication method. Set the inbound username and password to require SOCKS5 username/password authentication. For SOCKS4, only the user ID can be checked because SOCKS4 has no password field.

SOCKS4a hostname-form requests are not supported. Use a numeric IPv4 address with SOCKS4, or use SOCKS5 when the client needs to supply a domain name.

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EnableSecrets
// read/write
pub fn getEnableSecrets(self: SshTunnel) bool
pub fn setEnableSecrets(self: SshTunnel, value: bool) void
Introduced in version 11.5.0

Enables automatic resolution of credentials from secure storage provided by the operating system.

When set to true, supported password properties and methods may receive a secret specification string beginning with !! instead of a literal password. Chilkat resolves the secret from:

  • Windows Credential Manager on Windows.
  • Apple Keychain on macOS.

The specification format is: !![appName|]service[|domain]|username

This applies to HttpProxyPassword, SocksPassword, AuthenticatePw, and AuthenticatePwPk.

The default value is false.

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HostKeyFingerprint
// read-only
pub fn getHostKeyFingerprint(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Contains the SSH server host-key fingerprint after Connect or ConnectThroughSsh establishes the SSH connection. The value is available before user authentication.

Example: ssh-ed25519 256 e0:33:b1:81:a5:c6:9a:d2:2e:c9:d3:15:60:ea:cf:4c

Compare this value with a trusted expected fingerprint to verify the identity of the SSH server. For ConnectThroughSsh, the fingerprint is for the final SSH server, not the first-hop server.

The value may remain populated after CloseTunnel or after the connection is lost. Use IsSshConnected to determine current connection state.

More Information and Examples
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HttpProxyAuthMethod
// read/write
pub fn getHttpProxyAuthMethod(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setHttpProxyAuthMethod(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void

Specifies the authentication method to use when the outbound connection to the SSH server passes through an HTTP proxy that requires authentication.

Valid values are Basic and NTLM.

If SocksVersion is set to 4 or 5, the SOCKS proxy takes precedence and these HTTP proxy settings are ignored. The proxies are not chained.

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HttpProxyDomain
// read/write
pub fn getHttpProxyDomain(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setHttpProxyDomain(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void

Specifies the optional Windows domain used for NTLM authentication with the HTTP proxy.

This applies only to the outbound proxy connection used to reach the SSH server, and only when HttpProxyAuthMethod is NTLM.

If SocksVersion is set to 4 or 5, the SOCKS proxy takes precedence and these HTTP proxy settings are ignored. The proxies are not chained.

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HttpProxyHostname
// read/write
pub fn getHttpProxyHostname(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setHttpProxyHostname(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void

Specifies the hostname or IPv4 address of the HTTP proxy through which the outbound connection to the SSH server is made.

Leave this property empty when no HTTP proxy is required.

If SocksVersion is set to 4 or 5, the SOCKS proxy takes precedence and these HTTP proxy settings are ignored. The proxies are not chained.

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HttpProxyPassword
// read/write
pub fn getHttpProxyPassword(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setHttpProxyPassword(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void

Specifies the password used to authenticate with the HTTP proxy for the outbound connection to the SSH server.

If SocksVersion is set to 4 or 5, the SOCKS proxy takes precedence and these HTTP proxy settings are ignored. The proxies are not chained.

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HttpProxyPort
// read/write
pub fn getHttpProxyPort(self: SshTunnel) i32
pub fn setHttpProxyPort(self: SshTunnel, value: i32) void

Specifies the TCP port of the HTTP proxy used for the outbound connection to the SSH server.

Common HTTP proxy ports include 8080 and 3128.

If SocksVersion is set to 4 or 5, the SOCKS proxy takes precedence and these HTTP proxy settings are ignored. The proxies are not chained.

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HttpProxyUsername
// read/write
pub fn getHttpProxyUsername(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setHttpProxyUsername(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void

Specifies the username used to authenticate with the HTTP proxy for the outbound connection to the SSH server.

If SocksVersion is set to 4 or 5, the SOCKS proxy takes precedence and these HTTP proxy settings are ignored. The proxies are not chained.

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IdleTimeoutMs
// read/write
pub fn getIdleTimeoutMs(self: SshTunnel) i32
pub fn setIdleTimeoutMs(self: SshTunnel, value: i32) void

Specifies a stall timeout, in milliseconds, for tunnel data-transfer operations. The default value is 30000 milliseconds (30 seconds). A value of 0 disables the timeout.

This property is not a general inactivity timer for established background tunnel clients. An otherwise idle client, or a client with data queued while an SSH channel is flow-controlled, may remain connected beyond this interval. Applications should not rely on this property to disconnect clients merely because no application data is flowing.

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InboundSocksPassword
// read/write
pub fn getInboundSocksPassword(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setInboundSocksPassword(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.50

Specifies the password required from inbound SOCKS5 clients when DynamicPortForwarding is true.

This property is used together with InboundSocksUsername. It does not apply to SOCKS4 because the SOCKS4 protocol has no password field.

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InboundSocksUsername
// read/write
pub fn getInboundSocksUsername(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setInboundSocksUsername(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.50

Specifies the username required from inbound SOCKS clients when DynamicPortForwarding is true.

  • For SOCKS5, setting this property enables username/password authentication.
  • For SOCKS4, the value is compared with the client-supplied user ID.
  • Leave it empty to require no inbound SOCKS username.

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IsAccepting
// read-only
pub fn getIsAccepting(self: SshTunnel) bool

true when the local listener thread is running and accepting inbound TCP connections; otherwise false.

This property describes only the local listener. It can remain true after the SSH connection is lost or after CloseTunnel is called. In those states a client may connect to the local port even though its traffic cannot be forwarded.

Use IsSshConnected separately when the application also needs to know whether the SSH transport is available.

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KeepAcceptLog
// read/write
pub fn getKeepAcceptLog(self: SshTunnel) bool
pub fn setKeepAcceptLog(self: SshTunnel, value: bool) void

Controls whether activity from the background listener thread is retained in memory.

The default value is false. When enabled, retrieve the log from AcceptLog.

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KeepTunnelLog
// read/write
pub fn getKeepTunnelLog(self: SshTunnel) bool
pub fn setKeepTunnelLog(self: SshTunnel, value: bool) void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.50

Controls whether SSH tunnel-thread activity is retained in memory.

The default value is false. When enabled, retrieve the log from TunnelLog.

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LastErrorHtml
// read-only
pub fn getLastErrorHtml(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8

Provides HTML-formatted information about the last called method or property. If a method call fails or behaves unexpectedly, check this property for details. Note that information is available regardless of the method call's success.

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LastErrorText
// read-only
pub fn getLastErrorText(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8

Provides plain text information about the last called method or property. If a method call fails or behaves unexpectedly, check this property for details. Note that information is available regardless of the method call's success.

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LastErrorXml
// read-only
pub fn getLastErrorXml(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8

Provides XML-formatted information about the last called method or property. If a method call fails or behaves unexpectedly, check this property for details. Note that information is available regardless of the method call's success.

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LastMethodSuccess
// read/write
pub fn getLastMethodSuccess(self: SshTunnel) bool
pub fn setLastMethodSuccess(self: SshTunnel, value: bool) void

Indicates the success or failure of the most recent method call: true means success, false means failure. This property remains unchanged by property setters or getters. This method is present to address challenges in checking for null or Nothing returns in certain programming languages. Note: This property does not apply to methods that return integer values or to boolean-returning methods where the boolean does not indicate success or failure.

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ListenBindIpAddress
// read/write
pub fn getListenBindIpAddress(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setListenBindIpAddress(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void

Specifies the local IPv4 address to which the tunnel's listening socket is bound.

Value Listener exposure
Empty string Binds to 0.0.0.0 and accepts connections on all local IPv4 interfaces, subject to firewall rules.
127.0.0.1 Accepts connections only from the local computer through loopback.
A specific local LAN address Accepts connections through that interface only; loopback is not included automatically.
For a tunnel intended only for local applications, explicitly set this property to 127.0.0.1. Leaving it empty may expose the listening port to other computers on the network.

If the value is malformed or is not assigned to a local interface, BeginAccepting returns false and the bind failure is available in LastErrorText and the accept log.

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ListenPort
// read-only
pub fn getListenPort(self: SshTunnel) i32

Contains the local TCP port used by the listener started by BeginAccepting.

  • If BeginAccepting succeeds with a nonzero requested port, this property contains that port.
  • If BeginAccepting succeeds with 0, the operating system chooses an available port and this property contains the allocated port when the method returns.
  • After a bind failure for an explicitly requested port, this property may still contain the requested port even though IsAccepting is false.
  • The value is initially 0.

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OutboundBindIpAddress
// read/write
pub fn getOutboundBindIpAddress(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setOutboundBindIpAddress(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void

Specifies the local IP address to which the outbound socket is bound before connecting to the SSH server.

Most applications should leave this property empty. Set it only on a multihomed computer when the SSH connection must originate from a specific local network interface or IP address.

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OutboundBindPort
// read/write
pub fn getOutboundBindPort(self: SshTunnel) i32
pub fn setOutboundBindPort(self: SshTunnel, value: i32) void

Specifies the local TCP port to bind before making the outbound connection to the SSH server.

The default value is 0, which allows the operating system to choose an available ephemeral port. Nearly all applications should leave this property unchanged.

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PreferIpv6
// read/write
pub fn getPreferIpv6(self: SshTunnel) bool
pub fn setPreferIpv6(self: SshTunnel, value: bool) void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.70

Controls which IP version is preferred when a hostname resolves to both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.

  • false (the default) prefers IPv4.
  • true prefers IPv6.

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SocksHostname
// read/write
pub fn getSocksHostname(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setSocksHostname(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void

Specifies the hostname or IPv4 address of the outbound SOCKS4 or SOCKS5 proxy used to reach the SSH server.

This property is used only when SocksVersion is 4 or 5.

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SocksPassword
// read/write
pub fn getSocksPassword(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setSocksPassword(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void

Specifies the password for authenticating with an outbound SOCKS5 proxy used to reach the SSH server.

SOCKS4 does not support password authentication, so this property does not apply when SocksVersion is 4.

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SocksPort
// read/write
pub fn getSocksPort(self: SshTunnel) i32
pub fn setSocksPort(self: SshTunnel, value: i32) void

Specifies the TCP port of the outbound SOCKS4 or SOCKS5 proxy used to reach the SSH server.

The default value is 1080. This property is used only when SocksVersion is 4 or 5.

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SocksUsername
// read/write
pub fn getSocksUsername(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setSocksUsername(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void

Specifies the username for the outbound SOCKS4 or SOCKS5 proxy used to reach the SSH server.

This property is used only when SocksVersion is 4 or 5.

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SocksVersion
// read/write
pub fn getSocksVersion(self: SshTunnel) i32
pub fn setSocksVersion(self: SshTunnel, value: i32) void

Selects whether the outbound connection to the SSH server is made through a SOCKS proxy.

Value Behavior
0 Do not use a SOCKS proxy. This is the default.
4 Connect through a SOCKS4 proxy.
5 Connect through a SOCKS5 proxy.

When this property is 4 or 5, the SOCKS proxy settings take precedence over the HTTP proxy settings. The SOCKS and HTTP proxies are not chained.

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SoRcvBuf
// read/write
pub fn getSoRcvBuf(self: SshTunnel) i32
pub fn setSoRcvBuf(self: SshTunnel, value: i32) void

Sets the receive-buffer size for the underlying TCP socket.

The default value is 4194304 bytes. Normally this property should remain unchanged. If receive performance is unusually slow, testing a larger value that is a multiple of 4096 may help.

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SoSndBuf
// read/write
pub fn getSoSndBuf(self: SshTunnel) i32
pub fn setSoSndBuf(self: SshTunnel, value: i32) void

Sets the send-buffer size for the underlying TCP socket.

The default value is 262144 bytes. Normally this property should remain unchanged. If send performance is unusually slow, testing values such as 524288 or 1048576 may help. A multiple of 4096 is recommended.

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TcpNoDelay
// read/write
pub fn getTcpNoDelay(self: SshTunnel) bool
pub fn setTcpNoDelay(self: SshTunnel, value: bool) void

Controls the TCP_NODELAY socket option for the underlying TCP connection.

The default value is false. Setting it to true disables the Nagle algorithm, which can reduce latency when many small amounts of data are sent.

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TunnelLog
// read/write
pub fn getTunnelLog(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setTunnelLog(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.50

Contains the in-memory activity log for the SSH tunnel and client-manager threads. The log is populated only when KeepTunnelLog is true.

Treat this log as sensitive diagnostic data. It can contain hostnames, ports, usernames, proxy details, SOCKS handshake information, and authentication failure values. Do not publish or persist it without reviewing and protecting its contents.

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TunnelLogPath
// read/write
pub fn getTunnelLogPath(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setTunnelLogPath(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.50

Specifies the local file path where SSH tunnel-thread activity is written.

This file-based log is separate from the in-memory TunnelLog.

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UncommonOptions
// read/write
pub fn getUncommonOptions(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8
pub fn setUncommonOptions(self: SshTunnel, value: [:0]const u8) void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.73

Provides optional behavior for uncommon requirements. The default value is an empty string, which is appropriate for most applications.

To enable more than one option, provide a comma-separated list of keywords.

Keyword Effect
ForceUserAuthRsaSha1 Forces rsa-sha1 for public-key user authentication. Set this before connecting. Added in v9.5.0.98.
NoKeepAliveIgnoreMsg Disables the default SSH ignore message sent every 20 seconds to keep an idle connection alive. Added in v9.5.0.76.
no-weak-mac-algs Removes hmac-sha1-96, hmac-sha1, hmac-md5, and hmac-ripemd160 from the offered MAC algorithms. Added in v9.5.0.98.
ProtectFromVpn On Android, bypasses an installed or active VPN. Added in v9.5.0.80.
+ssh-hmac-etm Re-enables SSH encrypt-then-MAC algorithms that were disabled by default in v9.5.0.97 as part of the Terrapin mitigation.
+chacha20-poly1305@openssh.com Re-enables chacha20-poly1305@openssh.com, which was removed from the default offer in v9.5.0.97 as part of the Terrapin mitigation.

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VerboseLogging
// read/write
pub fn getVerboseLogging(self: SshTunnel) bool
pub fn setVerboseLogging(self: SshTunnel, value: bool) void

If set to true, then the contents of LastErrorText (or LastErrorXml, or LastErrorHtml) may contain more verbose information. The default value is false. Verbose logging should only be used for debugging. The potentially large quantity of logged information may adversely affect peformance.

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Version
// read-only
pub fn getVersion(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) Allocator.Error![:0]u8

Version of the component/library, such as "10.1.0"

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Methods

AuthenticatePk
pub fn authenticatePk(self: SshTunnel, username: [:0]const u8, private_key: chilkat.SshKey) Error!void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.50

Authenticates with the SSH server using public-key authentication.

The public key corresponding to privateKey must already be installed for username on the SSH server.

Call Connect or ConnectThroughSsh before calling this method.

When requesting support for an authentication failure, include the complete LastErrorText.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why.

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AuthenticatePw
pub fn authenticatePw(self: SshTunnel, login: [:0]const u8, password: [:0]const u8) Error!void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.50

Authenticates with the SSH server using login and password.

Establish the SSH connection first by calling Connect or ConnectThroughSsh. After authentication succeeds, call BeginAccepting to begin accepting tunnel clients.

  • A rejected username or password does not close the SSH connection; the application may correct the credentials and call this method again.
  • Calling this method again after authentication has already succeeded returns false with an “Already authenticated” error.
When requesting support for an authentication failure, include the complete LastErrorText captured immediately after the failed call.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why.

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AuthenticatePwPk
pub fn authenticatePwPk(self: SshTunnel, username: [:0]const u8, password: [:0]const u8, private_key: chilkat.SshKey) Error!void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.50

Authenticates with an SSH server that requires both a password and a private key.

The public key corresponding to privateKey must already be installed for username on the SSH server. Most SSH servers require either password authentication or public-key authentication rather than both.

When requesting support for an authentication failure, include the complete LastErrorText.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why.

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AuthenticateSecPw
pub fn authenticateSecPw(self: SshTunnel, login: chilkat.SecureString, password: chilkat.SecureString) Error!void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.71

Performs the same password authentication as AuthenticatePw, but receives the login and password in SecureString objects.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why.

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AuthenticateSecPwPk
pub fn authenticateSecPwPk(self: SshTunnel, username: chilkat.SecureString, password: chilkat.SecureString, private_key: chilkat.SshKey) Error!void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.71

Performs the same combined password-and-private-key authentication as AuthenticatePwPk, but receives the username and password in SecureString objects.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why.

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BeginAccepting
pub fn beginAccepting(self: SshTunnel, listen_port: i32) Error!void

Creates and starts the local listener on listenPort.

The SSH connection must already have been established. Although the listener can be started before user authentication, clients accepted in that state cannot be forwarded. The recommended sequence is to connect, authenticate, and then call this method.

  • The requested port must not already be in use on the selected local interface.
  • Pass 0 to let the operating system choose an available port, then read ListenPort.
  • Calling this method while the listener is already running returns false.

The method waits for the initial bind-and-listen result. It returns false for errors such as an occupied port, a malformed bind address, or an address that is not assigned to the local computer. Details are available immediately in LastErrorText and, when enabled, the accept log.

A successful return means the listener was bound and started. No additional fixed delay is required merely to discover an initial bind failure.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why.

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CloseTunnel
pub fn closeTunnel(self: SshTunnel, wait_for_threads: bool) Error!void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.50

Disconnects active tunnel clients and stops the tunnel-manager thread.

When waitForThreads is true, the method waits for the client and tunnel-manager threads to exit. It returns false if a worker thread does not stop; capture LastErrorText immediately for details.

This method does not stop the local listener and does not disconnect or reset the underlying SSH transport. Call StopAccepting separately to stop accepting local TCP connections. After this method returns, the listener may still accept a local connection even though the connection cannot be forwarded.

Calling this method more than once is allowed. However, it does not reset the object for a new call to Connect. Use a new SshTunnel object when connecting to a different SSH server.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why.

More Information and Examples
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Connect
pub fn connect(self: SshTunnel, hostname: [:0]const u8, port: i32) Error!void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.50

Establishes the SSH connection that will carry tunneled traffic. This method performs the TCP or proxy connection, the SSH protocol handshake, and host-key negotiation, but it does not authenticate the SSH user.

After connecting, verify HostKeyFingerprint, then authenticate by calling one of the Authenticate* methods. Finally, call BeginAccepting to start the local listener.

The host-key fingerprint is available immediately after this method succeeds, before user authentication. Calling Connect again while an SSH tunnel already exists returns false.

Chilkat sends an SSH ignore message every 20 seconds to help keep an unused SSH connection alive. To disable this behavior, add NoKeepAliveIgnoreMsg to UncommonOptions before connecting.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why.

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ConnectThroughSsh
pub fn connectThroughSsh(self: SshTunnel, ssh: chilkat.Ssh, hostname: [:0]const u8, port: i32) Error!void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.55

Connects to a second SSH server through the existing connected and authenticated Ssh object supplied in ssh.

application -> first SSH server -> second SSH server

hostname and port identify the second SSH server. After this method succeeds, call an authentication method on this SshTunnel object to authenticate with the second server.

The supplied Ssh object is borrowed, not copied. It must remain alive, connected, and authenticated for as long as this tunnel is used. If the first-hop object is disconnected, existing forwarded clients stop working and new local connections cannot be forwarded. The local listener may nevertheless remain active until explicitly stopped.

HostKeyFingerprint reports the fingerprint of the second SSH server. After the connection is established, fixed forwarding destinations such as 127.0.0.1 are interpreted from the second server's network environment.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why.

More Information and Examples
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ContinueKeyboardAuth
pub fn continueKeyboardAuth(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator, response: [:0]const u8) (Error || Allocator.Error)![:0]u8
Introduced in version 9.5.0.78

Continues a keyboard-interactive authentication exchange started by StartKeyboardAuth.

If the server requested one response, pass that value directly in response. If it requested multiple responses, pass XML in the following form:

<response>
  <response1>response to first prompt</response1>
  <response2>response to second prompt</response2>
  ...
  <responseN>response to Nth prompt</responseN>
</response>

When authentication completes, the returned XML indicates success or failure:

<success>success message</success>

<error>error message</error>

If another challenge is required, the method returns another infoRequest XML document containing the next set of prompts.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why. The string is allocated with allocator and owned by the caller (defer allocator.free(s)).

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DisconnectAllClients
pub fn disconnectAllClients(self: SshTunnel, wait_for_threads: bool) Error!void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.50

Disconnects all active tunnel clients while leaving the local listener and SSH connection available.

When waitForThreads is true, the method waits for the current client threads to exit before returning. The listener continues accepting new clients, and newly accepted clients can be forwarded normally.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why.

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GetCurrentState
pub fn getCurrentState(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator) (Error || Allocator.Error)![:0]u8
Introduced in version 9.5.0.65

Returns an XML snapshot describing the tunnel manager, SSH channels, and current tunnel clients. The returned data is intended for diagnostics and monitoring.

A typical result has the following structure:

<CurrentState>
  <tunnelManager rcvByteCount="433" sndByteCount="34"
      threadRunning="1" dynamicPortForwarding="0"
      staticDestHost="localhost" staticDestPort="18080">
    <openChannels count="1">
      <channel num="101" channelType="direct-tcpip"
          clientWinSize="2096927" serverWinSize="2097127" />
    </openChannels>
    <closedChannels count="0" />
  </tunnelManager>
  <clients count="1">
    <client destIp="localhost" destPort="18080"
        sshChannelNum="101" threadRunning="1"
        rcvByteCount="25" sndByteCount="225" />
  </clients>
</CurrentState>

The exact child elements can vary with state. For example, channel collections may be empty, and some transport details may be omitted before the tunnel is started or after it stops.

Section Information
tunnelManager Aggregate byte counts, worker-thread state, forwarding mode, and configured fixed destination.
openChannels and closedChannels SSH channel numbers, close/EOF flags, packet sizes, and flow-control window sizes.
clients Per-client destination, SSH channel number, worker state, age/activity counters, pending-data flags, and byte counts.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why. The string is allocated with allocator and owned by the caller (defer allocator.free(s)).

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IsSshConnected
pub fn isSshConnected(self: SshTunnel) bool
Introduced in version 9.5.0.61

Returns true when the SSH transport used by this tunnel is connected; otherwise returns false.

This is independent of the local listener state. The listener may still be accepting local TCP connections when this method returns false, but those connections cannot be forwarded until a usable SSH transport exists.

For a tunnel created with ConnectThroughSsh, this method becomes false when the borrowed first-hop Ssh connection is disconnected.

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SetAllowedAlgorithms
pub fn setAllowedAlgorithms(self: SshTunnel, json: chilkat.JsonObject) Error!void
Introduced in version 9.5.0.99

Restricts the SSH connection to the algorithms specified in json.

This allows an application to define the exact algorithm set that may be used during SSH negotiation.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why.

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StartKeyboardAuth
pub fn startKeyboardAuth(self: SshTunnel, allocator: Allocator, login: [:0]const u8) (Error || Allocator.Error)![:0]u8
Introduced in version 9.5.0.78

Begins keyboard-interactive authentication for login.

When the server requests one or more responses, the returned XML contains the request name, instructions, and prompts:

<infoRequest numPrompts="N">
  <name>name text</name>
  <instruction>instruction text</instruction>
  <prompt1 echo="1_or_0">prompt text</prompt1>
  ...
  <promptN echo="1_or_0">prompt text</promptN>
</infoRequest>

The echo attribute indicates whether the response should be displayed while entered.

If authentication immediately succeeds or fails without requiring a response, the returned XML has one of these forms:

<success>success message</success>

<error>error message</error>

Pass the requested response or responses to ContinueKeyboardAuth.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why. The string is allocated with allocator and owned by the caller (defer allocator.free(s)).

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StopAccepting
pub fn stopAccepting(self: SshTunnel, wait_for_thread: bool) Error!void

Stops the local listener so that no new client connections are accepted. Existing forwarded clients remain connected and continue exchanging data.

  • When waitForThread is true, the method waits for the listener thread to exit before returning.
  • When it is false, shutdown is asynchronous and IsAccepting may remain true briefly after the method returns.

Call BeginAccepting again to resume accepting connections. The listener can be restarted on the same port after the previous listener has stopped.

Returns error.ChilkatFailed on failure; getLastErrorText explains why.

More Information and Examples
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Events

All Chilkat methods are synchronous: the call returns when the work is done. During a call, SshTunnel raises three events so your program can show progress and offer a way out. Declare any subset of abortCheck, percentDone and progressInfo in a struct of your own and install a pointer to it with setEventHandler:

const Progress = struct {
    pub fn percentDone(_: *Progress, pct: i32) bool {
        std.debug.print("{d}%\n", .{pct});
        return false; // return true to abort the method in progress
    }
    pub fn progressInfo(_: *Progress, name: [:0]const u8, value: [:0]const u8) void {
        std.debug.print("{s}: {s}\n", .{ name, value });
    }
};

var progress = Progress{};
ssh_tunnel.setEventHandler(&progress); // progress must outlive the installation
defer ssh_tunnel.clearEventHandler();
ssh_tunnel.setHeartbeatMs(250); // abortCheck 4 times per second during Chilkat calls
pub fn setEventHandler(self: SshTunnel, handler: anytype) void

Installs handler, a pointer to any struct, as the receiver of this object's events, replacing any handler installed earlier. The dispatch is resolved at compile time: only the methods the struct declares are called, and a struct declaring none of the three is a compile error. The struct must stay alive, at the same address, until clearEventHandler or deinit.

pub fn clearEventHandler(self: SshTunnel) void

Removes the handler; events are no longer delivered.

AbortCheck fires at regular intervals controlled by the HeartbeatMs property (0, the default, disables it); PercentDone fires when an operation's completion percentage is known; ProgressInfo delivers named progress values. Returning true from abortCheck or percentDone aborts the running method, which then returns error.ChilkatFailed.

Events fire on the thread that called the method, before that method returns. To abort a long operation from another thread, have abortCheck read a std.atomic.Value(bool), or set the object's AbortCurrent property.

AbortCheck
// handler struct method (optional); install with setEventHandler
pub fn abortCheck(self: *T) bool

Enables a method call to be aborted by triggering the AbortCheck event at intervals defined by the HeartbeatMs property. If HeartbeatMs is set to its default value of 0, no events will occur. For instance, set HeartbeatMs to 200 to trigger 5 AbortCheck events per second.

More Information and Examples

Example

const Abort = struct {
    stop: std.atomic.Value(bool) = .init(false),
    pub fn abortCheck(self: *Abort) bool {
        return self.stop.load(.acquire); // another thread may call abort.stop.store(true, .release)
    }
};

var abort = Abort{};
ssh_tunnel.setHeartbeatMs(250); // call abortCheck 4 times per second
ssh_tunnel.setEventHandler(&abort);
defer ssh_tunnel.clearEventHandler();
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PercentDone
// handler struct method (optional); install with setEventHandler
pub fn percentDone(self: *T, pct: i32) bool

This provides the percentage completion for any method involving network communications or time-consuming processing, assuming the progress can be measured as a percentage. This event is triggered only when it's possible and logical to express the operation's progress as a percentage. The pctDone argument will range from 1 to 100. For methods that finish quickly, the number of PercentDone callbacks may vary, but the final callback will have pctDone equal to 100. For longer operations, callbacks will not exceed one per percentage point (e.g., 1, 2, 3, ..., 98, 99, 100).

The PercentDone callback also acts as an AbortCheck event. For fast methods where PercentDone fires, an AbortCheck event may not trigger since the PercentDone callback already provides an opportunity to abort. For longer operations, where time between PercentDone callbacks is extended, AbortCheck callbacks enable more responsive operation termination.

To abort the operation, set the abort output argument to true. This will cause the method to terminate and return a failure status or corresponding failure value.

More Information and Examples

Example

const Progress = struct {
    pub fn percentDone(_: *Progress, pct: i32) bool {
        // pct ranges from 1 to 100.
        std.debug.print("Percent done: {d}\n", .{pct});
        return false; // return true to abort the method in progress
    }
};

var progress = Progress{};
ssh_tunnel.setEventHandler(&progress);
defer ssh_tunnel.clearEventHandler();
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ProgressInfo
// handler struct method (optional); install with setEventHandler
pub fn progressInfo(self: *T, name: [:0]const u8, value: [:0]const u8) void

This event callback provides tag name/value pairs that detail what occurs during a method call. To discover existing tag names, create code to handle the event, emit the pairs, and review them. Most tag names are self-explanatory.

Note: Some Chilkat methods don't fire any ProgressInfo events.

More Information and Examples

Example

const Info = struct {
    pub fn progressInfo(_: *Info, name: [:0]const u8, value: [:0]const u8) void {
        std.debug.print("{s}: {s}\n", .{ name, value });
    }
};

var info = Info{};
ssh_tunnel.setEventHandler(&info);
defer ssh_tunnel.clearEventHandler();
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