Logging into your Dedicated Server

Introduction

This article explains various ways to access your Leaseweb server remotely and provides suggestions for the software you can use. 

Linux servers

Linux servers at Leaseweb are installed and delivered without a graphical shell (GUI). This means there is no desktop, and everything must be done using the command line. As you receive root access, if you want, you can install a GUI, but in general a GUI on a server only uses up resources, that you can be channelized elsewhere. Without a GUI, you can connect via SSH. SSH stands for Secure Shell and is an encrypted connection between you and your server.

On delivery, by default the SSH TCP port is set to 22, and root access is enabled. For security reasons Leaseweb recommends you to create a normal user and deny root from direct SSH login.

Logging in from another Linux or BSD machine

You can login with the following command on a shell: “ssh root@ip.ip.ip.ip“, and enter your root password when required.

Logging in from Windows

On Windows you need to do a little bit more. You will need a application that allows you to connect via SSH, as SSH itself is not ship with Windows. There are a number of options:

Putty

Most of the time a program called “Putty“ is used for this purpose. Once you open it, you will get the following screen. Fill in the fields (use your real IP or hostname)

Cygwin

Cygwin is a Linux environment ported to Windows. It includes a port of SSH which can be run from Windows’ command prompt.

Logging in from Mac OS X

From a Mac you can easily connect to your Linux server using the terminal and ssh command. Use the following line: ssh root@ip.ip.ip.ip and enter your credentials when they are asked for.

Windows servers

Windows servers are delivered with RDP and Administrator account enabled. With Administrator access on the server you have all the rights to configure the server to your needs. Underneath you will find several manuals on how to login to your windows server.

Logging in from Windows

With the “Remote Desktop Connection” program built in, you do not need to install anything.

There are 2 options, via the menu lookup “remote desktop” and start it. Or click Start » Run.. and type “mstsc” without quotes and hit enter. In the window that appears type the IP of your server and click connect. When asked type your server login details. Make sure that you type your user name with a backslash at the beginning, like  “\Administrator“, otherwise the logon domain of your current computer will be included, which may not work with your server.

Logging in from Linux

You will need to install package to enable RDP sessions to servers. One of these packages is “rdesktop“

Logging in from Mac OS X

To make a remote desktop connection, you need additional software. Commonly the Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac is used. Once installed, run the app, and when asked, enter the IP of your server. Click Connect and enter you server login details when required.

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