Step 1: Obtaining access

SSH is one way to access your hosting account in a secure way. Using an SSH client you can perform standard Linux operations via the command-line.

• (dv) 2.0 Using SSH Terminal KB article
  
• (dv) 3.x Using SSH Terminal KB article
• Enable SSH Terminal for FTP user within Plesk
  

(dv) servers may also need root access via SSH. Please see the following KB that covers how to obtain root access: How do I enable root access to my (dv)?

Step 2: Connecting to the server

Windows 95,98,ME,NT,2000,XP

Software
PuttySSH - http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/

Installation and use:

• Download putty.exe
• Save it to your C:WINDOWS folder
• If you want to make a link to it on your desktop:
  • Open the C:\WINDOWS folder in windows explorer.
  • Right click on the putty.exe file and select Create Shortcut.
  • Drag the shortcut to your Desktop.
• Double-click on the putty.exe program or shortcut.
• In the Host Name field, enter the domain name or IP address of your hosting service from your Service Activation letter.
• Select SSH as the Protocol.
• Click Open. You will be prompted to accept the key for the server used for encrypting the communications. Click Yes.
• Enter your username and password (This may be your FTP username and password if you enabled SSH Terminal, or it maybe your root login information)
  

OS X

Software
SSH is installed by default with OS X.

Use:

• Select Applications and click on the Utilities folder.
• Double-click on the Terminal application.
  
• In the command-line window enter:
  
  

  ssh username@mt-example.com

  NOTE:

  Be sure to replace mt-example.com with the domain name or IP address of your hosting service.

  
  
• You will be prompted for your password. Please enter the password that you received with your Service Activation letter.

Revisions:

08-21-2009: Title change
06-25-2009: Minor fixes.