How do I connect to my Contabo server for the first time?
After receiving the email titled “Your login data!”, you can connect to your server for the first time.
The method used to connect depends on the operating system running on your server:
- Linux servers are typically accessed using SSH.
- Windows servers are typically accessed using Remote Desktop (RDP).
To connect to your server, you will need:
- Your server IP address
- Your server username
- Your server password (the password you set during installation)
You can find these details in the email titled “Your login data!” or in the Customer Panel.
Table of contents
- Connecting to a Linux server (SSH)
- Connecting to a Windows server (Remote Desktop)
- Video walkthrough
- Troubleshooting connection issues
Connecting to a Linux server (SSH)
➡️ Click to show instructions
Linux servers are accessed using SSH (Secure Shell). Most operating systems include an SSH client by default.
From Windows
- Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal
PressWindows Key→ typePowerShellorTerminal→ open it. - Connect to your server
Run:ssh USERNAME@SERVER_IP
Example:ssh root@123.123.123.123 - Accept the SSH fingerprint
Typeyesand press Enter. - Enter your password
Characters will not be shown while typing - this is normal.
Alternative: You can also use PuTTY.
From Linux
- Open Terminal
- Run:
ssh USERNAME@SERVER_IP - Accept the fingerprint and enter your password
From macOS
- Open Terminal
- Run:
ssh USERNAME@SERVER_IP - Accept the fingerprint and enter your password
Connecting to a Windows server (Remote Desktop)
➡️ Click to show instructions
Windows servers are accessed using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
From Windows
- Open Remote Desktop Connection
- Enter your server IP address
- Click Connect
- Enter your username and password
From Linux
Use an RDP client such as Remmina or FreeRDP.
- Install (Ubuntu example):
sudo apt install remmina - Connect using your server IP and credentials
From macOS
- Install Microsoft Remote Desktop
- Add your server IP
- Enter your login details
Video walkthrough
We also have a video walkthrough showing how to connect to your server:
If the video does not load, you can also watch it directly on YouTube here.
Troubleshooting connection issues
If you’re having trouble connecting to your server, see:
I Can't Connect to My Server, What Do I Do?
Server configuration
- How do I set up an SSH connection?
- How do I change my server’s port?
- How can I reinstall my operating system?
- Can I add more remote desktop connections to my server?
- How do I upload files to my Contabo server?
Next step: If you want to reinstall the operating system or deploy a different image, see How do I install my Contabo server for the first time?
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