How to connect to a VPS via SSH

SSH (Secure Shell) is the encrypted connection you use to log into and control a VPS from your own computer. Once your server is deployed, everything starts here.

What you need

• Your server's IP address (Nxeon shows it in the dashboard the moment the VPS is ready).
• The username — usually root on a fresh server.
• Your password or, better, an SSH key.

Connecting from macOS or Linux

Both ship with an SSH client built in. Open a terminal and run:

ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

Replace YOUR_SERVER_IP with the real address. If SSH runs on a non-standard port, add -p:

ssh -p 2222 root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

Connecting from Windows

Modern Windows 10 and 11 include the same ssh command. Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and use the identical syntax:

ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

If you prefer a graphical client, PuTTY is the classic choice: enter the IP in the Host field, set the port, and click Open.

The first-connection host-key prompt

The very first time you connect you'll see something like:

The authenticity of host 'YOUR_SERVER_IP' can't be established.
ED25519 key fingerprint is SHA256:....
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])?

This is normal and a good thing — SSH is asking you to trust the server's identity. Type yes. The key is saved to ~/.ssh/known_hosts so you won't be asked again. Then enter your password (nothing appears as you type — that's intentional).

You're now logged in. The prompt changes to something like root@hostname:~#.

Common errors and fixes

Connection refused The SSH service isn't reachable. Check that you used the right port, that the server has finished booting, and that a firewall isn't blocking port 22. On Nxeon you can watch provisioning status in the dashboard.

Connection timed out Usually a wrong IP or a network/firewall block between you and the server. Confirm the IP and try again.

Permission denied (publickey,password) The username or password is wrong, or the server only accepts keys. Double-check the credentials from your dashboard.

Host key verification failed / REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED The server's key changed — common after a reinstall. Remove the stale entry and reconnect:

ssh-keygen -R YOUR_SERVER_IP

A cleaner way: an SSH config alias

Typing the IP every time gets old. Create ~/.ssh/config on your computer:

Host myvps
    HostName YOUR_SERVER_IP
    User root
    Port 22

Now you connect with just:

ssh myvps

Next steps

Logging in as root with a password works, but it isn't how you should run a server long-term. Your very next moves should be to create a regular sudo user, add an SSH key so you can stop typing passwords, and lock down root login. We cover each of those in separate guides — but connecting is the foundation, and now you've got it.

Put this guide to work on Cloud VPS hosting. From $8.88 for the first term, then $12.78 a month.