Some people are very used to Putty and they miss it when they are on a Mac. Is there a Putty version for OS X? No, but this post is for those people. This really isn’t an install per se, it’s actually called a port. Putty doesn’t work “naturally” on OS X, so you need to use MacPorts to ‘port’ it to your Mac. When utilizing MacPorts, you can find that there are thousands of programs you can run on your Mac that normally wouldn’t be available. The interfaces may feel or act a bit differently, but it’s better than not having them at all.
Here are the steps to get Putty geared up:
1) Install MacPorts – Download/instructions for MacPorts (Be sure to pick the correct file for your OS X version.)
2) Open the saved .dmg file to install MacPorts.
3) After installation of MacPorts is complete, there’s one more item to check. Make sure you have XCode installed on your computer. If you are running OS X 10.6, you should download and run XCode 3.2. You will have to be a member (which is free) of Apple Developer Connection to download the file. The reason you need developer tools is because you are actually compiling source code in order to get Putty working, as a developer does.
4. After installing XCode, open up Terminal and paste this command:
sudo port -v selfupdate
This updates your install of MacPorts. You should see the update take place. If you don’t, leave a comment here so we can help you out with the error. But everything should work fine if the steps above have been followed exactly.
5. All you have to do next is paste this command:
sudo port install putty
This should take a few minutes and work without a hitch.
6. Now to open Putty and start using it, type this into Terminal and Putty will then pop right up into an X11 window:
putty
7. To put the Putty shortcut on the Desktop, run an additional command in the terminal:
cp /opt/local/bin/putty ~/Desktop/PuTTY
Additonal Install/Migration Instructions
If you have installed MacPorts and Putty prior to Snow Leopard, you have to run a few fixes to get Putty to work again properly.
1. Open Terminal
2. Paste:
sudo port uninstall glib1; sudo port uninstall gtk1; sudo port install putty
3. Once done, all the necessary libraries should be updated and you should have a new Putty up and running.
Note:
When I first started to write this article, I was going to use Fink, however, it appears they dropped the Putty package. So I opted for MacPorts which is the most recently updated and compatible with Putty. It all works – for now.What this means:
Eventually, everyone who is accustomed to Putty will need to change directions indefinitely, so please take a look at Daniel’s post on Terminal in OS X. Until then, keep hacking and compiling if you really need to.
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Thank you for your help! Appreciated post.
I have OS X Tiger. I installed MacPorts. Then, I isnstalled X-Code and WebObjects.mpkg. I wrote the X- Code update comment on Terminal. It gave an error: command not found. I have a router and Firewall was on. Could you please help me how to install Putty?
Thanks in advance
Carl
Make sure you install MacPorts properly prior to running the ’sudo port -v selfupdate’. It’s saying ‘command not found’, because ‘port’ (ie. macports) cannot be found.
Thanks.
Your network equipment or settings should not be preventing a successful install of MacPorts. Since you have Tiger, did you install XCode 2.5?
Hi Daniel & Kayla – Thanks for publishing this information, you are a great resource. Once I had PuTTy installed, it works fine. The only issue I have is getting a serial console session via a USB-Serial adapter. The adapter is installed and accessible using the Apple provided pl2303 driver. I can open a connection pointing to the /dev/tty.PL2303-00001004 serial line, and I can see physical evidence that my keystrokes are passing through (via the LED on the USB device), but the terminal screen remains blank. I’ve tried changing the normal serial options (local echo, etc) with no result. Any ideas?
Computing dependencies for puttyError: Unable to execute port: can’t read “build.cmd”: Failed to locate ‘make’ in path: ‘/opt/local/bin:/opt/local/sbin:/bin:/sbin:/usr/bin:/usr/sbin’ or at its MacPorts configuration time location, did you move it?
Before reporting a bug, first run the command again with the -d flag to get complete output.
I did not know how to add -d flag. Did try adding it like this: sudo port install putty -d
Got the above message 2x. Thanks for any help
@Guido: try messing with the baud rate settings – typically most devices will use 9600 bps, 8N1 (bps, parity, bits). If you have a manual for the device that you’re trying to console, it most likely has a section which describes how to access it via serial. Another possibility – the device might require you to use a serial or a null modem cable – both look identical, however are wired differently. Finally, just to be sure – you can also try to access the serial device by opening Terminal and typing the following:
’screen /dev/tty.PL2303-00001004 9600′
Again, try to mess with the baud rate depending on what the device takes.
@Kathleen,
It wasn’t able to locate the ‘make’ binary. ‘make’ should ship with all the compilers etc. that are provided with XCode.
Are you sure you have XCode fully installed?
Thanks,
I was able to download xCode 2.5 and installed then went back and followed these instructions. Everything seemed to go fine. But when I type in putty per step 6 I get this message: kathleens-computer:~ kathleenhallren$ putty
Gtk-WARNING **: cannot open display: :0
Thanks for any assistance. I seem to be making progress.
I was able to solve the problem. I did not have x11 installed for some reason. Loaded it from Xcode Tools and downloaded upgrade from apple. Now I am up and running PuTTY. Thank you, the notes and hints on here led me through the process.
Instructions work AS Advertised for Snow Leopard
I did have minor issue with needing to update XCode. But, after that, I am as happy as a WinDoZe user could ever be… ease for all of my tunneled connections.
Thx for the post !!!
Martin
In my system settings I have selected the option for the F keys to function as F1, F2 etc. They work up to F8. I have had this problem with other VPN and emulation programs. Is there a key combination or work around for this. Thank you.
Hi Kathleen! To use the actual function keys, just hold down the ‘function’ key (“FN”, bottom left of your keyboard) and press whichever F[1-12] key you need (ie. FN+F4 etc.).