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First login

Find the root password in the dashboard, sign in via SSH for the first time and secure the server afterwards.

3 min read

On this page

Applies to every Xeon VPS, whichever operating system you chose.

Find your credentials

  1. Open the server under Services. It must show Running.
  2. In the Overview, under Controls, you see the addresses (IPv4, IPv6), the Specs and the Operating system.
  3. Below, at Credentials, click Show. You see User (usually root) and Password.
  4. The password is hidden. The eye icon reveals it, the button next to it copies it.

If the password shows SSH key only, no password is stored for the server. Sign in with the key you gave at the last reinstall.

Sign in via SSH for the first time

On Windows (PowerShell or Terminal), macOS and Linux:

bash
ssh root@YOUR-IPV4

The first time, SSH asks whether you trust the server:

text
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])?

Type yes and Enter, then the password. You do not see any characters while typing; that is normal. Paste with a right click (Windows Terminal) or Ctrl+Shift+V (Linux).

If it worked, you see a line like root@server01:~#. Check with:

bash
hostnamectl

More on SSH, PuTTY and keys: Connecting via SSH.

No connection?

  • Is the server running? It must show Running in the overview. Otherwise click Start.

  • Wrong password? Copy it again from the credentials. Or set a new one under System, see System.

  • SSH does not work at all, e.g. after a wrong firewall rule: sign in through the console in the browser.

  • Warning REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED after a reinstall: the server got a new host key. Remove the old entry on your computer and connect again:

    bash
    ssh-keygen -R YOUR-IPV4

Right afterwards

  1. Install updates. Debian and Ubuntu:

    bash
    apt update && apt full-upgrade -y

    AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux:

    bash
    dnf upgrade -y

  2. Set up an SSH key and turn off password login. How: Securing your server.

  3. Set up a firewall that only leaves open what you need: Firewall.

Controls in the overview

ButtonWhat happens
StartPowers the server on.
RestartRestarts the system.
Shut downShuts the system down cleanly.
Power offCuts power immediately, like pulling the plug. Only use it if Shut down does not work.

Next steps

What you can install on the server is in the Linux guides, for example Docker, Web server with HTTPS or Minecraft server. If you get stuck, open a ticket.