Connect with SSH

Open your server in the dashboard and choose Access. Copy its current IPv4 address and username. For an SSH key selected during configuration, use the matching private key on your computer.

If you need the generated key, choose Show credentials once. Copy the complete SSH private key, including the BEGIN and END lines, before leaving the page. After it has been viewed, use Request new credentials if you did not save it.

Open Terminal on your own computer. Create the SSH directory, then open a new key file in a text editor using the commands below. Paste only the complete private key into the file. In nano, press Control+O, Enter, then Control+X to save and close.

Restrict the saved file’s permissions and connect with the command below. Replace 192.0.2.10 with the address shown in Access, and root with the displayed username if it differs.

On a first connection, SSH asks about the server’s host key. Verify its fingerprint through a trusted channel, such as Support, before accepting it. If SSH reports that a known host key has changed unexpectedly, investigate before replacing the saved entry.

Permission denied (publickey) usually means the selected key or username was not accepted. Check the address, username, key file, and which public keys were selected for that server.

Connection timed out suggests the server, port, firewall, or network path may not be reachable. Confirm the server is active and review any firewall rules you changed.

Connection reset or Connection closed can happen before authentication. Save the exact time and error and contact Support if it repeats. It does not by itself mean your key is invalid.

If credentials were lost, request new ones from Access. Wait for the replacement to become available, save it, and use the new file.