Secure Shell (SSH) is a secure method for remotely accessing a server's command line. SSH allows you to interact directly with the server, making it a powerful tool for administrators and developers. This guide will walk you through the process of accessing SSH on a cPanel account.
Enabling SSH Access
Before you can access SSH, you need to ensure that SSH access is enabled for your cPanel account. If you're unsure whether SSH access is enabled, you can contact our support team for assistance.
Accessing SSH
Once SSH access is enabled, you can access it using an SSH client. There are many SSH clients available, but some of the most popular ones include PuTTY for Windows and Terminal for macOS.
Using PuTTY (Windows)
- Download and install PuTTY from the official website.
- Open PuTTY.
- In the "Host Name (or IP address)" field, enter your server's IP address or domain name.
- Ensure the "Port" is set to 22, as our servers use port 22 for SSH.
- Make sure the "Connection type" is set to SSH.
- Click "Open" to start the SSH session.
- If this is your first time connecting to the server from this computer, you will see a security alert. Click "Yes" to add the server's host key to PuTTY's cache.
- You will be prompted to enter your username and password. These are the same username and password you use to log in to cPanel.
Using Terminal (macOS)
- Open Terminal.
- Type the following command, replacing "username" with your cPanel username and "server.com" with your server's IP address or domain name:
cssCopy codessh username@server.com -p 22
- Press Enter.
- If this is your first time connecting to the server from this computer, you will be asked to confirm the server's host key. Type "yes" and press Enter.
- You will be prompted to enter your password. This is the same password you use to log in to cPanel.
Navigating SSH
Once you're connected to SSH, you can start running commands. If you're new to SSH, it might be helpful to familiarize yourself with some basic commands:
- ls: Lists all files and directories in the current directory.
- cd directory: Changes the current directory to the specified directory.
- pwd: Displays the path of the current directory.
- exit: Closes the SSH session.
Remember, SSH is a powerful tool, and with great power comes great responsibility. Be careful when running commands, especially commands that modify files or directories.
Troubleshooting SSH Connections
If you're having trouble connecting to SSH, here are a few things to check:
- Make sure you're using the correct IP address or domain name.
- Ensure the port is set to 22.
- Check that your username and password are correct.
- If you're still unable to connect, contact our support team for assistance.
SSH can be a valuable tool for managing your cPanel account. Whether you're performing administrative tasks or developing a website, SSH offers a direct and efficient way to interact with your server.