SSH : Introduction and definition
SSH, an acronym for Secure SHell, is a network protocol that allows access to a command line interpreter on a server. By using software based on this protocol, it is possible to establish an encrypted, therefore secure, connection between a client computer (yours) and the server.
Note: for security reasons, Shell (SSH) access is blocked by default on shared hosting accounts. To activate SSH access for your account, please submit a support ticket to request it from our team.
SSH Software
If you use Windows, you must download and install an application such as PuTTY (free software) on your computer before connecting to the server. You will find PuTTY at the following link:
http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html
In Linux, the ssh application is usually installed by default (consult your Linux manual if that is not the case).
PuTTY configuration
Once PuTTY is installed:
- Start PuTTY.
- In the Host Name field, type your domain name (example: yourdomain.com) or the IP address of your account (example: 111.222.33.44). Tip: you can also include your username directly in this field, by using the following syntax: username@hostname, where username = your cPanel user name and hostname = your domain name (example: yourdomain.com).
- Specify port 27 (for shared hosting accounts) or the port that was specified to you for a dedicated server (usually port 22).
- Choose the SSH protocol.
- Click on Open.
- You will receive a notice asking you to confirm your intention to connect to the server; please accept the connection.
- The server will ask you for your user name and then for your password (or just for your password if you used the tip specified in step 2). You will have to use the same user name and password that you use for the cPanel.
- If SSH access has been activated on your account, you should then be connected to the server via SSH. Otherwise, please contact our support team with details about the issue.
For more information regarding the command line interpreter, consult the How to Use the Command Line Interface article in this section.
