ssh into multiple servers and tail -f
 

Hi there,

got a question about simultaneously running a script on multiple servers..

currently i have to run the following on two servers:

i was considering putting it in a script. but as it might be clear this involves simultaneously ssh-ing into two different boxes and running the above command...can this be done? if so can you please tell me how (with some explanation if its not too much trouble), thanks!

NOTE:i also need to login via ssh/pw..the passwords on both servers are the same.

Use pssh. It's probably in your distribution's package repository.

Alternatively, if this is a long term need (i.e. not just a one-off), you might consider appointing one of your servers as a logging host. That would allow you to tail(1) - and report against - a set of logs on just that server.

not sure why you need to ssh into both at the same time (why not 1-by-1 ?)

not sure why you must use passwords (why not use ssh keys ?)

anyways, i would do something like:

ssh-keys is recommended for this; you really shouldn't be putting passwd in a script, or consider ssh-agent.
If you MUST use passwds, consider Expect http://linux.die.net/man/1/expect.
Another option if this is a regular requirement, can you get the remote machines to do this automatically eg triggered by cron or by an event, then email the results to you.

To make your process quicker, and still log in to each server individually to run your command (paste in your terminal), you can try FastSSHer with your sshkey.

How would i use ssh keys? would you know of a simple guide i can follow? I'm still pretty new to all this and a step by step guide would be helpful, thanks.

and thanks to everyone else for their suggestions.

If you do a web search for "automatic login ssh" you will find pages like this:

http://linuxproblem.org/art_9.html

http://wp.uberdose.com/2006/10/16/ssh-automatic-login/