How to Access a Server via SSH?

The easiest way to access a server via SSH is by downloading an SSH client such as PuTTY. Once you download and start it you will see the following window.

access a server via ssh

You need to fill in the fields and click on the button Open. Fill in the fields as described below.

Host Name (or IP address) – enter the IP address of your server in this field. It’s always best to connect using an IP address to avoid connection issues due to DNS problems.

Port – here you need to enter the SSH port. The default one is 22 but you should never leave your server to use the default SSH port. All brute force attacks happen on that port and you will avoid many attacks by using a custom SSH port. All ScalaHosting servers use a custom port for SSH.

Connection type – leave this to SSH since you want to access a server via SSH.

Saved sessions (optional) – if you are going to connect often to your server via SSH you may want to save the configuration so that you don’t have to remember the IP address and enter it every time you want to connect. Enter a name which will be descriptive enough for you to remember which server belongs to that configuration. If you have many servers the name you will enter is important so you can easily remember which server corresponds to the description you entered. To save the session just click on the Save button after you filled in the “Saved Sessions” field.

The  only thing that remains is to click on the Open button to initiate the SSH session. You will be asked to enter a username and a password to authenticate. If you enter them correctly you will get to your SSH console prompt where you can start executing commands.

putty authentication

Now it’s time to learn some shell commands and learn how to manage your server via SSH.

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Working in the web hosting industry for over 13 years, Rado has inevitably got some insight into the industry. A digital marketer by education, Rado is always putting himself in the client's shoes, trying to see what's best for THEM first. A man of the fine detail, you can often find him spending 10+ minutes wondering over a missing comma or slightly skewed design.