Step 1: Install an SSH Client

Most operating systems come with a built-in SSH client:

• Windows: Use PuTTY or the built-in OpenSSH in Windows 10+.
• macOS/Linux: Open the terminal, as SSH is pre-installed.

Step 2: Obtain Your Server Credentials

• IP Address: The public IP address of your server.
• Username: Default is usually root or a specific user.
• Password/SSH Key: Password provided by your hosting provider or an SSH private key.

Step 3: Connect via SSH

Open your terminal or SSH client and use the following command:

ssh username@your-server-ip

Example:

ssh [email protected]

If using a custom SSH port, specify it like this:

ssh -p 2222 username@your-server-ip

Step 4: Authenticate

• Enter your password if prompted.
• If using an SSH key, ensure the key is loaded and permissions are correct:

  chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa
  

Step 5: Verify the Host Key

On first connection, SSH may prompt you to verify the server’s fingerprint. Type yes to proceed.

Step 6: Start Managing Your Server

Once connected, you can execute commands directly on your server. Remember to log out by typing:

exit

Troubleshooting

• Ensure your server’s SSH port is open in the firewall.
• Verify your IP or domain is correct.
• Check server logs for issues using:

  sudo journalctl -u sshd