Open multiple ssh connections to a host using individual tmux panes, but within a single tmux window for sanity, finger-health, and glory!

ssh-group

#!/bin/bash
#
# description: creates a new tmux window and multiple ssh sessions based on given parameters.
# syntax: ssh_group [TARGET] [CONNECTIONS]
# example: open 4 ssh connections to host `unicorn.rainbow.pvt`
#   ssh_group unicorn.rainbow.pvt 4

# note: use from within an existing tmux session

if [ -z "$1" ]; then
  if [ -z "$SSH_CONCENTRATOR" ]; then
    echo "No default value for SSH_CONCENTRATOR. Exiting."
    echo "Set value using export SSH_CONCENTRATOR='hostname.domain'"
    exit
  else
    echo "No host specified. Using $SSH_CONCENTRATOR instead."
    TARGET=$SSH_CONCENTRATOR
  fi
else
  TARGET=$1
fi

if [ -z "$2" ]; then
  echo "No. of connections not specified. Using 4 connections instead."
  CONNECTIONS=4
else
  CONNECTIONS=$2
fi

starttmux() {
  # pass shell arguments to tmux
  local target=( $TARGET )
  local connections=( $CONNECTIONS )

  # create tmux window & ssh to host
  tmux new-window "ssh -q ${target}"

  # create additional connections
  for ((n=1; n<${connections}; n++)); do
    tmux split-window -h  "ssh -q ${target}"
  done

  # reconfigure layout to fit window
  tmux select-layout tiled > /dev/null

  # set input to first pane
  tmux select-pane -t 0
}

starttmux