Honestly, I'd recommend using phpseclib, a pure PHP SSH2 implementation. Example:
<?php
include('Net/SSH2.php');
$ssh = new Net_SSH2('www.domain.tld');
if (!$ssh->login('username', 'password')) {
exit('Login Failed');
}
echo $ssh->exec('pwd');
echo $ssh->exec('ls -la');
?>
It's a ton more portable, easier to use and more feature packed too.