====== Connecting to your Classic mode server via SSH ======
Once [[:en/hosting/create-server|your VPS has been created]], you will have access to it via [[:en/glossary/ssh|SSH]]. Administrative tasks must be performed by this type of connection as long as your server has an [[:en/glossary/IP-address|IP Address]] and is operational.

<note tip>Macintosh and Linux users can simply connect via SSH by a shell window. For Macintosh, just open the "Terminal" application. Windows users can download and install a program called [[http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/|PuTTY]].
</note>

If your IP address ''is 123.123.123.123'' and if you want to access your server via SSH, then you would use the following command:

  ssh login@123.123.123.123

Replace the word ''login'' in the above examples by the username that you specified when you created your server.

The password that you provide will be the one that you chose for this username.


<note>
With PuTTY, you just need to enter the IP address of your server in the "Host Name" field of the window that pops up. Then, click "Open and in the "Login as:" which appears in your console window, enter **admin**, and then provide the password of the admin user of your server (you will not see it when you type).
</note>


===== Root login =====
For security reasons, we have deactivated the ability to log in directly as root to your server via SSH. To log in as root, you first need to log in as the user that you defined when you created your server. Then, once you are logged in, type:

  su -

The password is the one that you specified when you created your Gandi expert server, or that you defined when you [[en:hosting:gandi-ai:root-activation|activated "root" access]] when leaving Gandi AI.

Although it is technically possible on some distributions (excluding Debian) to disable the root login restrictions and allow direct SSH connections as the root user (''ssh root@server''), this method alone is NOT recommended.

<note important>
Gandi's support team does not have access to your root password. If you lose your root password it will not be possible to recover it. Please [[http://en.gandi.net/support/contact/|contact support]] to see what your options may be.
</note>


<note tip>
Gandi has added the possibility to configure login with SSH keys in lieu of (or in addition to) passwords. If you have opted for this advanced (and convenient) way to log in, you won't need a password, just a key pair. 
</note>

<note warning>
You may choose to connect using a password, an SSH key, or both.

Using the SSH key only, you will be able to connect to your VPS using the root user direclty, then you have to configure the passwords for each user including root (**without root password, if an issue occurs, you won't be able to connect to your VPS using the emergency console**).
</note>

===== See Also =====

Please see for additional information:
   *[[en:iaas:references:server:security|Security on a Classic mode server]]