How to Connect to a VPS

In this guide, we will cover 2 of the most popular methods to connect to and manage a VPS using Secure Shell (SSH) and Virtual Network Computing (VNC). All of this information is accurate and applicable as of 2024.

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Method 1: Connect to VPS via. SSH

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What is SSH?

SSH (Secure Shell) is a network protocol for secure communication and data sharing between computers. It offers strong authentication methods for safe interaction over open networks.

Used by administrators to manage Linux systems remotely, SSH allows logging in, executing commands, and transferring files between computers. It ensures secure communication between a remote host and a local machine.

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Requirements for Logging into a VPS via. SSH

To connect to a VPS via. SSH, you will need to have the following information:

• IP Address
• Username
• Password

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How to Connect to VPS via. SSH

Once you have found your credentials, you will need to have an SSH client on your PC. Click the dropdown below to find your connection method for your operating system.

Connect to VPS via. SSH on Windows

To connect to a VPS via. SSH with Windows, you will need to download an SSH client. This guide will use PuTTy as the SSH client for Windows users.

1

Download PuTTy

Download the latest version of PuTTy from the website. Remember to select the correct bit version for your computer.

You can double check your bit version by searching for ‘System Information’ in the Windows search bar and checking the ‘System Type’

2

Launch the PuTTy Client

Once logged in, a ‘Login As’ message will show. This menu will ask you to input your SSH credentials you found in our getting credentials guide.

3

Enter Your Credentials

Using your details, input your SSH password and username. When you enter your password, it will not show you your entered credentials. Note that this is a security measure. PuTTy will still register what you have typed.

Congratulations! You have connected to your VPS with the PuTTy SSH client.

Connect to VPS via. SSH on MacOS

Connecting to a VPS through MacOS can be done through the built in Terminal.

1

Open the Terminal

To open the terminal in MacOS, open spotlight by pressing Cmd + Space and typing Terminal in the search bar.

2

Run the SSH Command

In the terminal, enter the command `ssh username@ipaddress’ but replace the following:

• Replace username with the user name you were provided.
• Replace ipaddress with the IP Address/Hostname of your server.

3

Press the Enter Key

If it’s the first time you are connecting to this machine, it will warn you that your server key is not cached in the registry. Type Yes and press Enter.

4

Enter Your Password

Enter the password provided to you in your credentials email in the terminal.

For security purposes, your SSH password will not be shown on the screen as you enter it.

Connect to VPS via. SSH on Linux

Connecting to a VPS through most Linux distributions can be done through the Terminal. Below are some of the commands needed to install SSH components into popular Linux Distributions.

• For Debian/Ubuntu Based Systems
• For Red-Hat Based Systems (ex. CentOS/Fedora)

Run the following command on the client. sudo apt install openssh-client

Run the following command on the server. sudo apt install openssh-server

After the components are installed, the SSH service should automatically start. You can check the SSH service status with systemctl status sshd

If the service is not running, use the sudo systemctl start sshd command. This command does not print an output.

To set the service to automatically start on boot, run the sudo systemctl enable sshd command.

Note: On some systems, sshd is the service name alias, and the commands will not work. In that case, replace sshd with ssh in the previous commands.

If you are unable to establish an SSH connection via. the terminal through your Linux Distribution, follow the steps below to download PuTTy Client.

1

Download PuTTy

Download the latest version of PuTTy from the website. Remember to select the correct bit version for your computer.

2

Launch the PuTTy Client

Once logged in, a ‘Login As’ message will show. This menu will ask you to input your SSH credentials you found in our getting credentials guide.

3

Enter Your Credentials

Using your details, input your SSH password and username. When you enter your password, it will not show you your entered credentials. Note that this is a security measure. PuTTy will still register what you have typed.

Congratulations! You have connected to your VPS with the PuTTy SSH client.

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Method 2: Connect to VPS via. VNC

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What is VNC?

VNC, or Virtual Network Computing, is a graphical desktop-sharing system that uses the Remote Frame Buffer (RFB) protocol to remotely control another computer’s desktop environment. It allows a user to view and interact with the graphical desktop of a remote system over a network connection.

VNC works by transmitting the graphical display updates from the remote system to the client software running on the local system, and it sends user input events (such as mouse and keyboard actions) back to the remote system.

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Requirements for Logging into a VPS via. VNC

To connect to a VPS via. VNC, you will need to have the following information:

• IP Address
• Username
• Password

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Video Guide for Connecting via. VNC

Need to see someone else do the VNC connection? Watch this easy to follow video tutorial!