SSH is not switched on for a new DirectAdmin hosting account, but you can have it. Ask Domain India support to enable jailed SSH for your account, add your SSH key, and connect to your domain or server IP on port 22 with your DirectAdmin username. This page covers the DirectAdmin side; the full guide covers every panel.
For every detail, including key setup on each operating system, PuTTY and troubleshooting, see Enabling and accessing jailed SSH on Domain India hosting.
Jailed SSH access is available on every shared hosting plan (cPanel, DirectAdmin, Webuzo). It is off by default; ask support to enable it for your account, by live chat or a ticket. On DirectAdmin you log in with an SSH key, not your DirectAdmin password, on port 22. Port 2222 is the DirectAdmin control panel, not SSH.
1. What you get on DirectAdmin
SSH on our DirectAdmin servers is a jailed (restricted) shell. The servers run CloudLinux with CageFS, so you see your own home folder and websites and nothing belonging to other customers. There is no root access and no sudo, and you cannot install system packages. Tools available inside the jailed shell vary; if you need a specific one, ask support before you rely on it.
Your websites live under domains/yourdomain.com/public_html in your home folder, the same layout the DirectAdmin File Manager shows.
2. Ask support to enable SSH
- Contact support.Use 24/7 live chat, or open a ticket at /client/support/new (or /support/ticket if you are not signed in).
- Name the account.Give the domain of your DirectAdmin hosting and, if you have it, your DirectAdmin username.
- Say what you need it for.For example "unpack a large backup" or "an SSH tunnel to MySQL", so support can tell you whether the tools you need are available.
- Wait for confirmation.Tickets get a first response within 15 minutes; the change itself may take longer.
There is nothing to buy. Never send a password or a private key in a ticket or chat.
3. Add your SSH key
Password login over SSH is switched off on our DirectAdmin servers (measured 23 September 2026), so your DirectAdmin password will not work. You need a key pair: a private key that stays on your computer and a public key that goes on your account. If you do not have one yet, follow how to generate SSH keys.
On DirectAdmin, put the public key on your account in one of two ways:
- With the File Manager. In your home folder, create a folder named
.ssh(permission 700) and inside it a file namedauthorized_keys(permission 600). Paste your public key into the file as one line and save. - Through support. Send support your public key (the file ending in
.pub) and ask them to add it. Never send the private key.
4. Connect
| Setting | What to use |
|---|---|
| Host | Your domain once it points to Domain India, otherwise your server IP |
| Port | 22 |
| Username | Your DirectAdmin username |
| Login | Your SSH key (password login is off) |
Your username and server IP are on the Access tab: open /client/services/hosting, click Manage on the hosting account and open Access. Then, from Terminal on macOS or Linux, or PowerShell on Windows 10 and 11:
ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 -p 22 [email protected]Type yes the first time to trust the server's fingerprint. In PuTTY, enter the host and port 22 and load your .ppk key under Connection › SSH › Auth › Credentials. SFTP in FileZilla or WinSCP uses the same host, port, username and key.
On our DirectAdmin servers, 2222 is the control panel login. SSH is always port 22. If an old guide or saved setting uses 2222 for SSH, change it.
5. If it does not work
- Permission denied (publickey): the public key is not in
.ssh/authorized_keys, the file or folder permissions are wrong, or SSH is offering a different key. Point SSH at the right key with-i. - The login is accepted and the connection closes at once: SSH is not enabled for the account yet. Ask support.
- Everything times out, including your website: repeated failed logins can get your IP blocked by the server firewall. See have I been blocked?.
6. Where DirectAdmin hosting fits
Every DirectAdmin plan can have jailed SSH on request, alongside the control panel, email and databases. Prices on the card are live and exclude 18% GST.
- 10 GB NVMe SSD Storage
- 50 GB Monthly Bandwidth
- 1 Website
- 5 Email Accounts
If you need root access, your own packages or open ports, a VPS gives you full control of the server.
Is SSH available on Domain India DirectAdmin hosting?
Yes. Jailed SSH access is available on every shared hosting plan, including DirectAdmin. It is off by default; ask support by live chat or a ticket to enable it for your account. There is no extra charge.
What port is SSH on Domain India DirectAdmin servers?
Port 22. Port 2222 on the same servers is the DirectAdmin control panel, not SSH.
Can I log in to SSH with my DirectAdmin password?
No. Password login is switched off for SSH on our DirectAdmin servers. Create an SSH key pair and add the public key to .ssh/authorized_keys in your home folder, or send the public key to support.
Do I get root access with SSH on DirectAdmin shared hosting?
No. It is a jailed shell limited to your own account, with no root or sudo. For root access, use a Domain India VPS.
Where do I find my SSH username and server IP?
In the client area, open your hosting service, click Manage and open the Access tab. The username is your DirectAdmin username.
Ready to use SSH? Ask support to enable it by opening a ticket or on live chat, then follow the full SSH guide to connect.
Open a ticket with your domain and what you need SSH for. Support switches on jailed SSH for your account and confirms when it is ready.
Ask support to enable it