Connecting to your VPS for the first time

Introduction

Connecting to your VPS (Virtual Private Server) for the first time is an essential step to get started with your hosting. This guide walks you through the connection process using SSH (Secure Shell), the standard method for securely accessing Linux servers.

What you need

Before connecting, ensure you have:

• Your VPS IP address (provided in your welcome email)
• Your root password (also in the welcome email)
• A terminal application installed on your computer
• Basic familiarity with command line interfaces

Understanding SSH

SSH (Secure Shell) is a cryptographic network protocol that provides secure remote access to servers. It encrypts all data transmitted between your computer and the server, making it safe to use over public networks.

The default SSH port is 22, and you typically connect using:

ssh username@server_ip_address

For a new VPS, the default username is usually root.

Step-by-step connection process

Step 1: Locate your server credentials

After your VPS is provisioned, check your email for connection details. You should receive:

• Server IP address: Your server's public IP (e.g., 185.123.45.67)
• Root password: Initial password for the root user
• SSH port: Usually 22 (default)

Save these credentials in a secure password manager.

Step 2: Open your terminal

Windows:

• Open PowerShell (search for "PowerShell" in Start menu)
• Or install Windows Terminal for a better experience

macOS:

• Press Cmd + Space and search for "Terminal"
• Or use iTerm2 for enhanced features

Linux:

• Press Ctrl + Alt + T (most distributions)
• Or search for "Terminal" in your applications menu

Step 3: Connect to your server

In your terminal, type the following command:

ssh root@YOUR_IP_ADDRESS

Replace YOUR_IP_ADDRESS with your actual server IP. For example:

ssh root@185.123.45.67

Step 4: Accept the host key

The first time you connect, you will see a message like:

The authenticity of host '185.123.45.67' can't be established.
ECDSA key fingerprint is SHA256:...
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)?

Type yes and press Enter. This adds the server to your list of known hosts.

Step 5: Enter your password

You will be prompted for the root password:

root@185.123.45.67's password:

Type your password (characters won't appear on screen for security) and press Enter.

Note: If you paste your password, be aware that most terminals don't show any indication that text was pasted. This is normal security behavior.

Step 6: Verify you're connected

After successful authentication, you should see:

Welcome to Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (GNU/Linux ...)
...
root@your-server-hostname:~#

The # or $ prompt indicates you're successfully logged in and can run commands.

Security best practices

Use SSH keys instead of passwords

Password authentication is convenient but less secure than SSH keys. After your initial connection, set up SSH key authentication:

1. Generate an SSH key pair on your local machine
2. Copy your public key to the server
3. Disable password authentication (optional but recommended)

Change the default SSH port

Changing the default SSH port (22) can reduce automated attack attempts. Edit /etc/ssh/sshd_config and change the Port directive.

Disable root login

Create a new user with sudo privileges and disable direct root login:

adduser yourusername
usermod -aG sudo yourusername

Then edit /etc/ssh/sshd_config and set PermitRootLogin no.

Set up a firewall

Configure UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) or iptables to allow only necessary ports:

ufw allow 22/tcp
ufw enable

Troubleshooting common issues

Connection refused

Problem: You see "Connection refused" when trying to connect.

Solutions:

• Verify your VPS is running in the control panel
• Check that the SSH service is running: systemctl status ssh
• Ensure your firewall allows connections on port 22
• Verify you're using the correct IP address

Permission denied

Problem: Authentication fails even with correct password.

Solutions:

• Double-check you're typing the password correctly (copy-paste can include spaces)
• Verify you're using the correct username (usually root)
• Check if your IP is blocked due to failed login attempts
• Try resetting your password from the control panel

Host key verification failed

Problem: You see a warning about host key verification.

Solutions:

• If you reinstalled your server, remove the old key: ssh-keygen -R YOUR_IP_ADDRESS
• Or manually edit ~/.ssh/known_hosts and remove the offending line

Slow connection

Problem: SSH connection is slow or times out.

Solutions:

• Check your internet connection speed
• Verify server resources aren't exhausted
• Try connecting from a different network to rule out ISP issues
• Check server logs for issues: journalctl -u ssh

What's next?

Now that you're connected to your VPS, consider:

1. Securing your server: Set up SSH keys, configure a firewall, and disable unnecessary services
2. Creating a non-root user: Set up a user account with sudo privileges for daily use
3. Installing essential software: Update your system and install tools you need
4. Setting up monitoring: Configure alerts to monitor your server's health

Getting help

If you encounter issues not covered in this guide:

• Check our other knowledge base articles on server management
• Contact support through the RoyaleHosting control panel
• Join our Discord community for peer support

Remember: Never share your root password or SSH keys publicly. These credentials provide full access to your server.