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    How to Connect via SSH

    Access your VPS using SSH from any operating system

    On This Page

    SSH (Secure Shell) is the primary method for connecting to and managing your Linux VPS. This guide covers SSH access for all major operating systems.

    Windows Users

    Using PuTTY (Recommended)

    PuTTY is the most popular SSH client for Windows. It's free, lightweight, and easy to use.

    Download PuTTY from the official website: putty download page

    Connecting with PuTTY:

    1. Launch PuTTY
    2. In the "Host Name" field, enter your VPS IP address
    3. Ensure Port is set to 22
    4. Connection type should be SSH
    5. Click Open
    6. On first connection, you'll see a security alert about the host key - click Yes to continue
    7. When prompted, enter username: root
    8. Enter your root password (characters won't be visible as you type)

    Tip: Save Your Session

    In PuTTY, after entering your IP, type a name under "Saved Sessions" and click Save. This lets you quickly connect in the future without re-entering details.

    Using Windows Terminal (Modern Option)

    Windows 10 and 11 include a built-in SSH client. You can use it through PowerShell, Command Prompt, or Windows Terminal.

    ssh root@your-vps-ip

    Linux Users

    Linux comes with an SSH client pre-installed. Simply open your terminal and use the ssh command.

    Basic Connection:

    ssh root@your-vps-ip

    Specify a Different Port:

    ssh root@your-vps-ip -p 2222

    Using SSH Keys:

    # Generate SSH key pair (if you don't have one)
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com"

# Copy public key to server
ssh-copy-id root@your-vps-ip

# Connect (no password needed)
ssh root@your-vps-ip

    macOS Users

    macOS includes a built-in SSH client. Open Terminal (found in Applications → Utilities) and use the same commands as Linux.

    ssh root@your-vps-ip

    Finding Your VPS Information

    Your VPS connection details can be found in:

    • VPS Information Email: Sent immediately after provisioning
    • SolusVM Control Panel: vpscp.ramnode.com → General tab
    • Client Area: Services → Your VPS Service
    • Email History: Client Area → Hello [Your Name] → Email History

    First Login Setup

    1Change Your Root Password

    For security, change the default root password immediately:

    passwd

    2Update Your System

    # Debian/Ubuntu
apt update && apt upgrade -y

# CentOS/RHEL/Rocky
yum update -y

# Fedora
dnf update -y

    3Create a Regular User (Recommended)

    # Create new user
adduser yourusername

# Add to sudo group (Debian/Ubuntu)
usermod -aG sudo yourusername

# Add to wheel group (CentOS/RHEL)
usermod -aG wheel yourusername

# Switch to new user
su - yourusername

    SSH Security Best Practices

    1. Use SSH Keys Instead of Passwords

    SSH keys are much more secure than passwords. See our SSH Key guide for setup instructions.

    2. Change Default SSH Port

    # Edit SSH config
nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

# Change Port 22 to another port (e.g., 2222)
# Save and restart SSH
systemctl restart sshd

    3. Disable Root Login

    After setting up a regular user with sudo access:

    # Edit SSH config
nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

# Set: PermitRootLogin no
# Save and restart
systemctl restart sshd

    4. Install Fail2Ban

    # Install fail2ban
apt install fail2ban     # Debian/Ubuntu
yum install fail2ban     # CentOS/RHEL

# Enable and start
systemctl enable fail2ban
systemctl start fail2ban

    Troubleshooting SSH Connection Issues

    Connection Refused

    • Verify your VPS is running (check SolusVM status)
    • Confirm you're using the correct IP address
    • Check if SSH service is running on the server
    • Ensure port 22 isn't blocked by firewall

    Permission Denied

    • Double-check your username (usually root)
    • Verify your password is correct
    • If using SSH keys, ensure the key is properly configured
    • Reset your root password via SolusVM if needed

    Connection Timeout

    • Check your local internet connection
    • Verify the VPS IP address is correct
    • Ensure there's no firewall blocking outbound connections
    • Try accessing via VNC to check if SSH service is running

    Host Key Verification Failed

    This occurs when the server's SSH key has changed (e.g., after OS reinstall):

    # Remove old key (replace with your VPS IP)
ssh-keygen -R your-vps-ip

    Can't Connect at All?

    If you can't connect via SSH, use the VNC console in SolusVM to access your VPS and troubleshoot. Check if the SSH service is running with systemctl status sshd.

    Alternative Access: VNC Console

    If SSH isn't working, you can always access your VPS through the VNC console in SolusVM:

    1. Log into SolusVM
    2. Click the VNC tab
    3. Click Open VNC
    4. A new window will open with console access

    See our VNC Access guide for more details.

    Need further assistance? Contact our support team.