To connect to your Domain India VPS, open a terminal and run ssh root@your-vps-ip with the login details from your VPS setup email. Windows 10 and 11, macOS and Linux all have the ssh command built in. As soon as you are in, add an SSH key and switch password login off, because a server on a public IP address is probed for passwords within minutes.
For every step in detail, including PuTTY, first-login hardening and file transfers, see how to access your Domain India VPS using SSH. This page is the short version.
Run ssh root@your-vps-ip, type yes to accept the server's fingerprint the first time, and log in with the root details from your setup email. Then create an SSH key on your computer with ssh-keygen -t ed25519, copy it to the server, confirm key login works in a second window, and only then turn password login off. The client area has no VPS console, so if you lock yourself out, open a support ticket with your VPS's IP address.
1. Connect for the first time
- Find your details.The IP address and root login details are in the email you received when the VPS was set up. The order itself is listed under Services in the client area.
- Open a terminal.Use PowerShell or Windows Terminal on Windows, or Terminal on macOS and Linux.
- Connect.Run
ssh [email protected], replacing the example with your VPS's IP address. A new VPS uses port 22; if you have moved SSH to another port, add-pand the port number. - Check the fingerprint.The first time, type
yesto save the server's key. Your computer warns you if it ever changes. - Log in and change the root passwordwith
passwd.
2. Switch to key login
An SSH key can't be guessed like a password. Create one on your own computer, not on the server:
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "[email protected]"Set a passphrase when asked. Copy the public key to the server:
ssh-copy-id [email protected]Windows doesn't include ssh-copy-id. Instead, copy the single line from C:\Users\YOU\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub into ~/.ssh/authorized_keys on the server; the .ssh folder must be chmod 700 and the file chmod 600.
Then create your own user with sudo rights, give it the same key, and set PasswordAuthentication no and PermitRootLogin no in the SSH configuration. The full steps are in the SSH security hardening checklist for a VPS and generating SSH keys.
Before you reload SSH with password login switched off, open a second terminal and confirm you can log in with your key. Keep the first session open until the new login works. There is no VPS console in the client area to fix it from, so a lockout means a support ticket.
3. When the connection fails
| Message | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Connection timed out | Wrong IP, a firewall rule you added, or SSH on another port | Check the IP, try -p with your custom port, check your own network allows outgoing SSH |
| Connection refused | SSH isn't running or listens on another port | Check the port; if you can't get in at all, open a ticket |
| Permission denied (publickey) | Password login is off and your key isn't being offered | Use ssh -i path/to/key and check the key is in the right user's authorized_keys |
| REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED | The server was reinstalled or its key changed | If you reinstalled it, run ssh-keygen -R your-vps-ip; if not, stop and contact support |
| Blocked after several failed tries | fail2ban or a firewall on your server banned your IP | Connect from another network and unban yourself, or open a ticket |
Run ssh -v root@your-vps-ip to see each step of the connection; it usually shows where it stops.
If you can't get in at all, whether you are locked out, SSH won't start or the server doesn't respond, open a support ticket with your VPS's IP address and what you changed last. Support handles start, stop, force restart and reinstall requests through the ticket. A reinstall erases the server, so keep your own backups. See managing your VPS.
Use reboot to restart from inside the server. Running poweroff or shutdown -h turns the VPS off, and it stays off until support starts it again from a ticket.
4. Domain India VPS in brief
A Domain India VPS is a self-managed KVM server with full root access: you look after updates, security and the software you install. SSH is how you manage it. cPanel isn't offered on a VPS; the panel options at checkout are none, CyberPanel, Webuzo or DirectAdmin. For shared hosting, SSH works differently: it is a jailed shell that support enables on request, with key login only; see enabling and accessing jailed SSH.
Frequently asked questions
How do I connect to my Domain India VPS?
Open a terminal, or PowerShell on Windows, and run ssh root@your-vps-ip with the IP address and root details from your VPS setup email. Accept the server's fingerprint the first time, then log in.
Is there a VNC or web console for my VPS in the client area?
No. The Domain India client area has no VPS console. Manage the server over SSH, and if you can't get in, open a support ticket with your VPS's IP address.
I turned off password login and now I can't connect. What can I do?
If another SSH session is still open, use it to fix the configuration. Otherwise, open a support ticket with your VPS's IP address and explain what you changed.
Which port does SSH use on a new VPS?
Port 22. If you change it in the SSH configuration, allow the new port in your firewall first and connect with ssh -p followed by the port number.
How do I restart my VPS?
Run sudo reboot over SSH. Don't use poweroff, which leaves the VPS switched off. If the server doesn't respond to SSH, open a support ticket and support will restart it.
Ready to set up your server? Follow the full VPS SSH guide, compare VPS plans, or open a ticket in the client area if your login details haven't arrived.
Send your VPS's IP address and what you changed last, and support will help you get back in.
Open a support ticket