Connecting via SSH - DigitalFyre Knowledge Base

SSH is the standard method for accessing and managing your VPS. After installing an operating system, you can connect using the credentials set during OS installation.

Prerequisites

An OS installed on your VPS — see Installing an OS
Your server’s IPv4 address — found on your VPS service page
Your root password — set during OS installation, or reset via Password Resets

Connecting

Linux / macOS
Windows

Open a terminal and run:

ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

Accept the host key on first connection and enter your password when prompted.

Windows 10 and later include a built-in SSH client. Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run:

ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

Alternatively, use PuTTY — enter your server’s IP in the Host Name field, ensure port 22 and SSH are selected, and click Open.

Using SSH Keys (Recommended)

SSH keys are more secure than password authentication. To set up key-based login: Generate a key pair if you do not already have one:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your-email@example.com"

Copy your public key to the server:

ssh-copy-id root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

Optionally disable password authentication after confirming key login works:

nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

# Set the following:
PasswordAuthentication no
PubkeyAuthentication yes

# Restart SSH
systemctl restart sshd

Verify that key-based login works before disabling password authentication. If you lock yourself out, use the VNC Console to regain access.

Troubleshooting

If you cannot connect:

Server stopped — Check the power state on your service page and start it if needed
No OS installed — A freshly provisioned VPS has no OS. See Installing an OS
Wrong IP — Confirm the IP from your service page
SSH locked out — Use the VNC Console to diagnose and recover access

VPS Overview Connecting via RDP

⌘I

​Prerequisites

​Connecting

​Using SSH Keys (Recommended)

​Troubleshooting

Prerequisites

Connecting

Using SSH Keys (Recommended)

Troubleshooting