How to use PuTTY program

PuTTY is a free and open-source SSH client most widely used on Windows for secure connections to remote systems over the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol. SSH encrypts all data in transit, so passwords and commands are sent securely - typically over port 22.

SSH lets you administer Linux or BSD servers remotely by running commands directly in a terminal, transfer files safely (via SCP or SFTP), and perform many other system-administration tasks.

In this tutorial you’ll learn how to connect to a server (e.g., a KVM VPS or a dedicated server) over SSH using PuTTY.

Preparation

Download PuTTY program from this link: chiark.greenend.org.uk.

Select the download that matches your computer’s CPU architecture. In most cases you’ll want the 64-bit x86 version.

Open the .msi file and follow the setup wizard to install PuTTY on your PC.

In the Redfox Cloud control panel, open your service details to find the server’s IP address, username, and password. Save these as you will need them shortly.

Connecting with PuTTY

Launch the PuTTY program on your computer.

Then, in "Host Name (or IP address)" field enter your server's IP address.

Leave the "Port" field at 22, the default for SSH.

Make sure "Connection type" is set to SSH.

After entering all details, click the "Open" button. If this is your first time connecting to the server, you’ll see a security warning:

This is normal, PuTTY is asking to store the server’s key so it can recognize it in the future. Click "Accept".

Enter your server's username which you found in the Redfox Cloud control panel (in this case - root):

Type your password and press Enter. (Nothing will appear while you type - this is a security feature and is normal).

If you see a shell prompt similar to this, it means the connection was successful.

You can now administer your server.

To connect via SSH using PuTTY, you only need your server’s IP address and login credentials. If you run into problems, contact us through live chat or email us at [email protected].