Articles on: cPanel

How do I connect via SSH?

Accessing your cPanel account via SSH (Secure Shell) allows you to securely perform command-line tasks. This guide covers connecting to SSH through the cPanel Terminal, PuTTY (Windows), and Terminal (macOS/Linux).

Elitehost does not use the default SSH port (22). You will receive the correct port number upon requesting SSH access.

Prerequisites



Enable SSH Access: SSH is not enabled by default on shared cPanel hosting. If you have a Business or Reseller package, request SSH access by submitting a support ticket or emailing helpdesk@elitehost.co.za.
Credentials: Have your cPanel username, server hostname or IP address, and the custom SSH port (provided by support) ready.

Connecting via the cPanel Terminal



The cPanel Terminal offers an easy way to access SSH directly from your browser.

Log in to cPanel.
Navigate to Advanced and click on Terminal.
A terminal window will open, allowing you to enter commands directly.

This is a simple option for quick access without additional setup.

Connecting via SSH on macOS or Linux



macOS and Linux come with SSH pre-installed, making it easy to connect through the Terminal.

Open the Terminal on your computer.
For MacOS: You can find Terminal in Applications > Utilities or by searching Terminal in Spotlight.
Enter the following command, replacing username with your cPanel username, hostname or IP with your server’s address, and the provided port number:

ssh username@hostname -p PORT

Enter your cPanel account password when prompted.

Connecting with PuTTY on Windows



PuTTY is a popular SSH client for Windows users, providing a straightforward interface for connecting via SSH.

Download and Install PuTTY
Download PuTTY from the official website if it's not already installed.

Open PuTTY and Configure Settings:
Host Name: Enter your server’s hostname or IP address.
Port: Input the custom SSH port provided by Elitehost.
Connection Type: Make sure SSH is selected.

Initiate the Connection
Click Open to connect. On the first login, PuTTY will prompt you to confirm the server’s host key. Click Yes to continue.

Enter Your SSH Password
When prompted, type your SSH password to complete the login process.​

Important Tips for SSH Access



Custom Port: Remember that Elitehost uses a non-standard SSH port. Be sure to use the correct port provided by support.
Securing Access: For better security, consider using SSH keys instead of your cPanel password. Refer to this article: How do I set up SSH keys for cPanel?

If you have any questions or require further assistance, please feel free to contact our support team or email helpdesk@elitehost.co.za.

Updated on: 25/10/2024

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