How to Connect to Your Server via SSH

In this tutorial, we will show you how to connect to your VPS and dedicated server via SSH. This will allow you to interface with your server via Command Line Interface (CLI). First, we will show you how to add your IP address to the firewall to allow you to access your VPS / dedicated server. Then we will show you how to connect with both PuTTY, and Terminal.

1. Add Your IP to the Firewall

1. Look up your IP address. Write it down so you have it for later use.
2. Login to WHM.
3. Type firewall in the search box, then click the Add IP to Firewall link in the navigation menu.
   
   
   
4. In the Allow Rule field, enter your IP address.
5. Click the Add Rule / Restart button.
   
   
   

You are finished when you see a message stating “Your IP(s) have been added, and APF is being restarted.”

2. Connect Using PuTTY or Terminal

After adding your IP address to the firewall, you can connect to the server using a client (such as PuTTY), or directly in terminal (if you are a Linux, or Mac user). This section includes guides for both PuTTY and Terminal.

Connect Using:

• PuTTY
• OpenSSH
• Terminal

Connecting to Your Server via PuTTY

1. Download and Install PuTTY.
2. In the Host Name (or IP address) field, enter your domain name, or the IP address of your server.
3. Click the Open button.
   
4. You will see a PuTTY Security Alert, click the Accept button.
   
   
   
5. When the login as message comes up, enter your username (cPanel username, or root), then click the Enter key.
   
   
   
6. Enter your cpanel password (or root password if you are connecting as the root user), then click the Enter key. The password will not show when you type it.
   
   
   

Connecting to Your Server via Windows OpenSSH

OpenSSH is natively included with Windows 10. Use Powershell to access it:

1. Open the Start menu and type Powershell.
2. Select Powershell,then Run as Administrator.
3. Continue to the Unix instructions below.

Connecting to Your Server via Terminal

1. Open the terminal on your computer.
2. Type ssh, followed by a space. Then your username, followed by the ‘@’ symbol, and your domain (or IP address) for the hostname and hit the Enter key. For example: ssh [email protected]
3. If you see a message stating “Are you sure you want to continue connecting” type yes, then click the Enter key.
4. You will then be prompted to enter your password. Type your password, then click the Enter key to connect. The password will not show when you type it.

Congratulations, now you know how to connect to your server via SSH! Next, consider learning how to navigate the command line structure in SSH.