Choose a connection method

Audience: an authorized server user. Have your server’s address, guest username, and approved authentication method available. The Cloud Panel account and the operating system account are different accounts.

Find the endpoint

Open Servers, select the server, and review its network information. Use the assigned address and service port, not a screenshot example or the gateway address. For NAT services, use the published external address and external port. A private guest address is not directly internet-routable. See network addresses if the assignment is missing or unclear.

Linux and other SSH guests

Use a local terminal on Linux, macOS, or Windows with an SSH client installed. Follow first SSH connection for key selection and host fingerprint verification. An IPv6-only endpoint requires working IPv6 connectivity on your client network. A third-party VPN or tunnel may change connectivity and privacy; it is not a guaranteed provider remedy.

Windows guests

Use first RDP connection only when your purchased Windows image supports RDP. Confirm the guest account, password source, and approved external endpoint before connecting.

Browser console

Open Console on the server page. Follow browser console help. Graphical VNC and serial consoles depend on the server and template configuration. The console does not require guest SSH networking, but it still requires a functioning host connection and guest login. Do not assume every image has a root password or serial login prompt.

If connection fails

First distinguish timeout, refused connection, and authentication failure. Use the SSH diagnostic table before changing guest configuration. Do not enable root password login or disable host-key checks as a generic fix. If no method works, contact support with redacted errors and the time of failure.