Connecting to a server over SSH on serverplus

SSH (Secure Shell) is a secure way to connect to a server through a terminal and manage it with commands. Over SSH you run updates, install software, edit configs — everything needed on a Linux server. Below is how to connect from Windows, macOS and Linux.

What you need before connecting

• The server's public IP address. In the cloud.serverplus.uz panel open the server — on the "Overview" tab there is an IPv4 field (for example 185.196.219.87).
• The username. It depends on the image. For Ubuntu — ubuntu, for Debian — debian, for AlmaLinux/Rocky — almalinux / rocky. It is also the "Administrator name" in the creation wizard.
• The SSH key. The one you chose when creating the server (in the card — the SSH key field). The private part of the key must be on your computer.
• An open SSH port. A security group allowing SSH (port 22) must be attached to the server. Without it the login will "hang" (see the errors section).

If you do not have an SSH key yet

Create a key pair with one command (Windows / macOS / Linux — the same):

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "my-laptop"

Press Enter to all questions. Two files appear in the ~/.ssh/ folder: the private id_ed25519 (do not share it with anyone) and the public id_ed25519.pub. Add the contents of the public file to the server — at the "SSH key" step during creation or in the panel's keys section.

Connecting from Linux and macOS

Open a terminal and run (substitute your username and IP):

ssh ubuntu@185.196.219.87

On the first login you will be asked about the host's authenticity — enter yes. If the key is not in the standard place, specify it explicitly:

ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 ubuntu@185.196.219.87

An "unprotected key" error? If you see WARNING: UNPROTECTED PRIVATE KEY FILE, restrict the private key's permissions: chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.

Connecting from Windows

Option 1 — built-in SSH (recommended). Windows 10/11 already has SSH. Open PowerShell or Terminal and enter the same command:

ssh ubuntu@185.196.219.87

Option 2 — PuTTY. If a graphical client is more familiar:

• Download and open PuTTY.
• In the Host Name field enter ubuntu@185.196.219.87, port 22.
• Specify the key in .ppk format under Connection → SSH → Auth → Credentials. The id_ed25519 key is converted to .ppk with the PuTTYgen tool.
• Click Open.

First login: what to do next

You are at the server's command line. Useful to start with:

# update the system sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y # see who and where you are whoami && hostname -I

For further basic setup (users, firewall, fail2ban) see the article "Basic server protection".

If you cannot connect

• Connection timed out / "hangs". Most often the port is not open: attach the SSH security group to the server (see the "Security groups" article). Also check that the server is in the Active status.
• Connection refused. The port is closed or the SSH service is not running. Check the port (22 by default) and the server status.
• Permission denied (publickey). The wrong key or wrong user. Make sure you use the private key paired with the one added to the server, and the correct name (ubuntu for Ubuntu, not root).
• Host key verification failed. The host key changed (for example, after recreating the server). Remove the old entry: ssh-keygen -R 185.196.219.87 and connect again.

A backup login: the web console

If you cannot get in over the network (a closed port, a firewall mistake, no key at hand) — use the web console. In the server card click >_ Console — a terminal opens right in the browser, and it works even without network access to the server. From there you can fix settings and restore SSH.

Connection security

• Keys only, no passwords. A key is more reliable than a password and is not brute-forceable.
• Restrict where you can log in from. In the security group open port 22 not to the whole internet (0.0.0.0/0) but to your own IP.
• Do not log in as root with a password. Work as an ordinary user and elevate privileges via sudo.
• Protect the private key. It is like a house key: do not share or publish it. For a new device create a separate key.

FAQ

What are the default username and password?

There is no password — login is by key. The user depends on the OS: ubuntu for Ubuntu, debian, almalinux, rocky — for others. Logging in as root directly is usually not allowed.

Where do I get the server's IP address?

In the panel open the server → the "Overview" tab → the IPv4 field. Put that address into the ssh command.

Can I connect with a password instead of a key?

By default login is configured by key — this is safer. A password can be set via cloud-init during creation, but for a server on the internet this is not recommended.

How do I connect if I changed the standard SSH port?

Specify the port with the -p flag: for example ssh -p 2222 ubuntu@185.196.219.87. Do not forget to open that port in the security group.

I forgot which key the server has — what do I do?

The chosen key's name is visible in the server card (the SSH key field). If the private part is gone, log in via >_ Console and add a new public key to ~/.ssh/authorized_keys.