Secure Shell (SSH) is the most secure and commonly used method to access your VPS (Virtual Private Server). This guide explains how to connect to your Hosteons VPS using SSH from various operating systems.
Requirements
Before you start, ensure you have the following details, which were emailed to you after your VPS was activated:
• Your VPS IP address
• Your SSH username (typically root)
• Your SSH password or private key (if using key authentication)
• An SSH client:
• Linux/macOS: Built-in Terminal
• Windows: PowerShell, Windows Terminal, or PuTTY (for older systems)
Method 1: Connecting via Terminal (Linux, macOS, and Windows 10/11)
1. Open Terminal
• On Linux/macOS: Open the built-in Terminal application.
• On Windows: Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal.
2. Run the SSH command
Type the following command and press Enter:
ssh root@your_server_ipReplace your_server_ip with the actual IP address of your VPS.
3. Accept the host key
The first time you connect, you may see a message asking if you want to continue connecting. Type yes and press Enter.
4. Enter your password
When prompted, enter your root password. (Note: For security reasons, the password won’t be visible as you type.)
Once successfully logged in, you will see a command-line prompt from your VPS.
Method 2: Connecting Using PuTTY (for older versions of Windows)
1. Download PuTTY
Visit https://www.putty.org and download the latest version of PuTTY.
2. Open PuTTY
In the “Host Name (or IP address)” field, enter your VPS IP address.
Make sure the port is set to 22 and the connection type is set to SSH.
3. Click Open
The first time you connect, you may receive a security alert. Click “Yes” to proceed.
4. Log in
When prompted, enter the username root and your root password.
You should now be connected to your VPS.
Optional: Use SSH Key Authentication
For added security, you can use SSH keys instead of passwords.
1. Generate an SSH key pair on your local system:
ssh-keygen
2. Upload the public key to your VPS:
ssh-copy-id root@your_server_ip
3. Verify that key-based login works, and then disable password login if desired for better security.
Troubleshooting Tips
• Connection refused:
• Ensure your VPS is powered on.
• Make sure SSH is enabled and port 22 is open in your firewall.
• Permission denied:
• Confirm you’re using the correct username and password.
• Make sure your IP is not blocked by the server firewall.
• Using a non-standard port:
If your SSH server uses a different port, use this command instead:
ssh -p your_custom_port root@your_server_ip
Conclusion
You are now connected to your VPS via SSH. If you experience issues or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to Hosteons Support.
