ZaRHost

How to connect to a Linux server over SSH

Updated 26 October 2026

SSH is the standard way to sign in to a Linux server from your own computer. You need three things: the server's address, a user name and a key. On ZaRHost all three are on the server's Connect tab.

Step 1: get the key

Open your server in the panel and go to the Connect tab. Press Download key. The key is made for this server only and is deleted when the server is.

Save it in the folder you will run the command from.

Step 2: protect the key

On Mac and Linux, tell the system that only you may read the key. Replace web-01.pem with your own file name:

chmod 600 web-01.pem

Step 3: connect

Copy the command from the Connect tab. It looks like this, with your own key, user name and address:

ssh -i web-01.pem zarhost@203.0.113.20

The first time, SSH asks whether to trust the server. Type yes. After that you are signed in and can run commands. Windows 10 and 11 have SSH built in, so the same command works in PowerShell.

If it does not work

  • Permission denied (publickey): the key or the user name is wrong. Copy the command again from the Connect tab.
  • Unprotected private key file: run the chmod command from step 2.
  • Connection timed out: the server may be stopped, or port 22 may be closed. Check the server is running and that port 22 is open on the Networking tab.

No software? Use the browser terminal

If you would rather not use SSH from your own computer, press Open console on the Connect tab. A terminal opens in a small window, with no software to install.

Questions

Which user name do I use?

It depends on the system image, and the Connect tab shows the exact command with the right one, so copy it from there.

Can I sign in with a password?

ZaRHost servers use a key, which is safer than a password. Each server gets its own key.

Can I add my own SSH key?

Yes. Save your public key under Scripts and keys, then choose it when you create a server.

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