Codeserver integration

[lrushi]

It would be nice to have vscode server integration along with ssh. Check this one https://github.com/abhishekkrthakur/colabcode

[WassimBenzarti]

Hello @Rushilotti, welcome the colab-ssh community !
Could you please explain what kind of integration are you suggesting ?
Is there a feature in colab-ssh that you prefer to see along with colabcode ?

[lrushi]

Hi @WassimBenzarti , there is this other project called code server where you can open vsode directly into the browser so that you don't need VS code installed. The project I linked above has automated it but the jupyter notebook cell is always running in the background. It means I cant use that particular jupyter Notebook. However sometimes in the browser the codeserver crashes so it is better to have both SSH , codeserver and colab notebook at the same time.

So All I am asking is if there is a way to use SSH, codeserver and colab jupyter Notebook at the same time and if it is possible may be integrate into colab ssh as a feature.

Here is the link to the project codeserver : https://github.com/cdr/code-server
Here is the project that automated it but has no SSH access and colab notebook access: https://github.com/abhishekkrthakur/colabcode

Your project colab-sshhas ssh, colab notebok but no codeserver option so if u think you can integrate codeserver that would be great along with jupyter colab access.

[WassimBenzarti]

Thank you @Rushilotti for the detailed explanation, you made it crystal clear :) .

First, I totally agree with you. I tried colabcode recently, it's an amazing library without a doubt. Special thanks to @abhishekkrthakur and the whole team who worked on it.

Unfortunately with Google Colab, we face several challenges. One of these challenges is idling. Whenever you stop using Google Colab, the notebook can go to idle after few minutes (usually more than an hour). This is due to the fact that it's not being used through the notebook's UI. I am not totally sure, but I think colabcode worked around this issue by leaving the cell running indefinitely.
In colab-ssh, we choose to keep the notebook usable since it's important in the Colab experience.

Where are we headed as colab-ssh?

I am happy to announce that we are working on a new version that will enable colab-ssh users to have a full SSH experience that will make it seamless to connect to the Colab environment through the following ways:

1. SSH terminal (with ngrok)
2. VSCode Remote SSH (through SSH Configuration or hyperlink)
3. VScode Web (using code-server)
4. VNC (using TurboVNC maybe)
5. Direct SSH (without ngrok)

I think it's important that we do a collaboration with colabcode and remocolab (shout out to @demotomohiro) to bring the best experience to Google Colab.

Even though, my schedule is a bit tight, we are getting there slowly but surely.
Stay tuned! Great things are coming!

[lrushi]

Thank you for your reply. I understood what direction you are going. Looking forward to see the features you mentioned be implemented.

[WassimBenzarti]

I will close this issue until the new version is released.