subject: Using Ssh On Your Linux Dedicated Server [print this page] SSH is one of the most attractive elements of a Linux dedicated server. Since SSH clients are small, and the SSH protocol is so secure and efficient, it can be used to manage a Linux dedicated server from anywhere. With SSH you have full access to your Linux dedicated servers operating system, and can administer your machine as if it was local.
Most operating systems have an SSH client built in, with windows being the exception. From OS X, you can open up a terminal window and simply type ssh followed by the ip address of the Linux dedicated server you want to connect to. With windows, you will need to download software to use SSH. There are many options, but by far the most popular choice is putty, a free and compact client with a simple yet fully features interface. You can find putty here: http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/
Once putty has been installed, you can simply run the program, and you will be presented with a configuration screen. If you leave all options as default, and simply fill out the Host Name (or IP address) box with the domain name or IP for your Linux dedicated server, and then hit connect, you will be presented with a login screen. Most commonly you will be logging in with the username of root and your root password (this is the same as your WHM password). Once you are inside, you will be presented with a plain black window, with a command prompt. This may be a little intimidating if you are new to linux, but there are a number of guides online that will make navigation a breeze.
There are a few common commands that will make administering your Linux dedicated server easy. Typing top will show you a list of all processes running, with a rundown of how much memory and cpu is being used, and by what program. Typing uptime will tell you how long your server has been running since its last reboot, it will also give you a simple readout of your current and recent load averages on your system. To see how much space free you have on your system is as simple as typing df -h. To reboot your server, simply type reboot.
Here is a list of further common commands and their usage: http://cs.clark.edu/~clug/commands.htm. If you ever want to know more about a certain command, you can type man command, and you will be given a manual page on how the command is used and what it does.
SSH abilities are a rewarding and powerful feature of Linux dedicated servers. A basic understanding in SSH will greatly increase your Linux dedicated servers productivity and flexibility, and enrich your serving experience.
