Linux is an open-source operating system that has gained a considerable amount of attention over the past few years due to its security and stability. Many developers prefer Linux as their operating system of choice because it’s free to use and has a vast community of experts that can help troubleshoot issues. In this article, we’ll be discussing how to log in to a VPS using Linux, which is often a topic of interest among developers and system administrators alike.
Secure Shell, also known as SSH, is a cryptographic network protocol that allows secure communication between two computers. One of the primary uses of SSH is logging in to a remote server, such as a VPS. The following steps will guide you through logging in to your VPS using SSH.
The first step is to open your terminal. Depending on your Linux distribution and desktop environment, you can do this using various methods. For instance, on Ubuntu, you can press the Ctrl + Alt + T keyboard shortcut, or press the Super key and search for "terminal."
Once the terminal window is open, enter the following command to log in to your VPS via SSH:
ssh username@server_address -p port_number
Replace "username" with your VPS username, "server_address" with your server's IP address, and "port_number" with the SSH port number your server is listening on (usually 22).
After entering the command, hit "Enter." You'll then be prompted to enter your password. You won't see any characters displayed on the screen as you type your password, which is normal. Hit "Enter" again when finished, and you'll be logged in to your VPS.
Although SSH is a secure way to access your VPS, it involves entering your password every time you log in, which can be inconvenient. Fortunately, SSH keys provide a more secure and user-friendly alternative.
Open a terminal window and enter the following command to generate a new SSH key pair:
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096
Press "Enter" when prompted to use the default file location and enter a passphrase if you wish. This passphrase encrypts your private key and provides an additional layer of security.
After generating your SSH key pair, you need to add the public key to your VPS. To do this, enter the following command:
ssh-copy-id username@server_address -p port_number
Replace "username," "server_address," and "port_number" with your VPS details. Enter your password when prompted, and your public key will be added to your VPS's authorized_keys file.
Once your public key is added to your VPS, you can log in without entering a password. Enter the following command:
ssh username@server_address -p port_number -i path_to_private_key
Replace "username," "server_address," "port_number," and "path_to_private_key" with your VPS details and the file path to your private key. Hit "Enter," and you'll be logged in to your VPS more securely.
Logging in to a VPS using Linux is a fundamental task that all developers and system administrators should know how to do. By using SSH, you can securely access your VPS and perform various tasks remotely without physically being in front of the server. Additionally, by using SSH keys, you can log in more securely without having to enter your password every time you connect to your VPS. Use the steps outlined in this article, and you'll be up and running in no time.