Scenario

This document describes how to use SSH key to log in to a Linux instance from a local Linux, Mac OS or Windows operating system.

Applicable local OS

Linux or Mac OS

Authentication Method

Password or SSH Key

Prerequisites

• You must already have the admin account and password (or key) for logging into the instance.
  • If you use a system default password to log in to the instance, obtain it by visiting Internal Message.
  • If you log in to the instance with a key, you must have created a key and bound it to this CVM. For more information, see SSH Keys.
  • If you forget your password, reset the instance password.
• A public IP has been purchased for your CVM instance, and port 22 is open (this is open by default for CVMs purchased with quick configuration).

Steps

Logging in with a password

1. Execute the following command to connect to the Linux CVM.

   If your local computer uses Mac OS, you must open the terminal provided by the system and then execute the following command.
   If your local computer uses Linux, you can directly execute the following command.
   If your local computer uses Windows 10 or Windows Server 2019, please first open the Windows Command Prompt (CMD), and then run the following command.

   ssh <username>@<hostname or IP address>

   • username is the default account name obtained as a prerequisite.
   • hostname or IP address is the public IP address or custom domain name of your Linux instance.
2. Enter the password you have already obtained, and press Enter to log in.

Logging in with a key

1. Execute the following command to set the private key file readable only to you.

   If your local computer uses Mac OS, you must open the terminal provided by the system and then execute the following command.
   If your local computer uses Linux, you can directly execute the following command.
   If your local computer uses Windows 10 or Windows Server 2019, please first open the Windows Command Prompt (CMD), and then run the following command.

   chmod 400 <The absolute path of the private key downloaded to be associated with the CVM>

2. Execute the following command for remote login.

   ssh -i <The absolute path of the private key downloaded to be associated with the CVM> <username>@<hostname or IP address>

   • username is the default account name obtained as a prerequisite.
   • hostname or IP address is the public IP address or custom domain name of your Linux instance.

   For example, execute the ssh -i "Mac/Downloads/shawn_qcloud_stable" ubuntu@192.168.11.123 command to remotely log into the Linux CVM.

Subsequent Operations

After logging into the CVM, you can build a personal website or forum on Tencent Cloud CVM or perform other operations. For more information, see the following:

• Manually Build WordPress Website