A Virtual private server (VPS) provides a flexible and powerful solution for running web applications, databases, or other services. To effectively use a VPS, you need to connect to it correctly. This article explains how to log into a VPS using different methods and operating systems.
What Do You Need to Log into a VPS?
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VPS IP Address – Assigned by your VPS provider when setting up the server.
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Username and Password – Typically “root” for Linux or “Administrator” for Windows.
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Access Tool – For Linux, use an SSH client (e.g., PuTTY or Terminal); for Windows, use RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol).
How to Log into a VPS with Linux?
Connecting via PuTTY (Windows)
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Download and install PuTTY.
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Enter the VPS IP address in the “Host Name (or IP address)” field.
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Set the port to 22.
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Click “Open.”
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Log in by entering your username and password.
Connecting via Terminal (MacOS, Linux)
ssh root@IP_ADDRESS
If your SSH server runs on a different port than 22:
ssh -p PORT root@IP_ADDRESS
Connecting Using SSH Keys
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096
ssh-copy-id root@IP_ADDRESS
ssh root@IP_ADDRESS
How to Log into a VPS with Windows?
Connecting via Remote Desktop (Windows)
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Open the “Remote Desktop” application (Press Windows + R, type
mstsc, and press Enter). -
Enter the VPS IP address and click “Connect.”
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Enter your username and password.
Common Login Issues and Their Solutions
SSH Connection Refused
sudo systemctl status ssh
sudo ufw allow 22/tcp
RDP Connection Not Working
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Check if Remote Desktop is enabled.
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Verify that port 3389 is not blocked.
Logging into a VPS is a crucial step in managing it. Linux users typically use SSH, while Windows Server users connect via RDP. For better security, using SSH keys is recommended.
