---
title: Connect to the Access Server Host Console
canonical: https://openvpn.net/as-docs/v3/connecting-to-the-console/
product: Access Server Docs
---

# Connect to the Access Server Host Console

Access Server runs on Linux-based systems. You need to connect directly to the console during installation, for updates, and advanced configuration. Refer to the sections below for some tips.

## Connect with OpenSSH

To sign into your server, you need three pieces of information:

1. The server's IP address.
2. The server username.
3. The server password or the SSH key.

The server IP address is the public IP address. We recommend it's also a static IP address.

You can open a terminal to connect to the server with the above information. How you do this varies:

- **Linux:** Search **terminal** or press **Ctrl+Alt+T**.
- **macOS:** Search **terminal**.
- **Windows:** Use PowerShell or install an Ubuntu terminal from the Windows Store.

  > **Tip**
  >
  > We also recommend using PuTTY for Windows users.

Once you've opened a terminal window, follow these steps:

1. Enter the SSH command, replacing your connection's appropriate username and IP address: `ssh username@123.456.78.90`.
   - If using SSH keys, specify the path of your private key with the **-i** flag. Example: `ssh -i /path/to/key username@123.456.78.90`.
2. Confirm the host's identity for your first time connecting by hitting **ENTER**.
3. If you're connecting with an SSH key, you authenticate automatically. If you're using a password, enter the password at the prompt and hit **ENTER**.
   - You should now be connected to your Access Server console.

## Connecting with PuTTY

For Windows, we recommend using the open-source client, PuTTY.

We provide the steps you can follow here: [Tutorial: Connect to Access Server via SSH using PuTTY](https://openvpn.net/as-docs/v3/tutorials/tutorial--connect-with-putty.md).

---

Prev: [Connecting](https://openvpn.net/as-docs/v3/connecting.md)
Next: [Connecting to the Admin Web UI](https://openvpn.net/as-docs/v3/connecting-to-the-admin-web-ui.md)
Index: https://openvpn.net/as-docs/llms.txt