> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://gcore.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Establish SSH connection to a Virtual Instance
SSH key pairs authenticate connections to Linux Virtual Instances. After generating SSH keys and adding a public key to the [Gcore Customer Portal](https://portal.gcore.com), use the key to connect to the instance.
Before proceeding, confirm that:
* If the Virtual Instance is only connected to a private network, it has a [floating IP address](/cloud/networking/ip-address/create-and-configure-a-floating-ip-address).
* The [necessary protocols in firewall settings](/cloud/networking/add-and-configure-a-firewall#use-the-default-firewall) are configured to allow outgoing and incoming connections to the instance.
## Connect from terminal, command prompt, or WSL
Follow these instructions to connect to a Virtual Instance from Linux, macOS, or Windows 10/11 devices:
1. Open Terminal (Linux, macOS), Windows Subsystem for Linux, or Command Prompt (cmd.exe on Windows).
2. Connect to the Virtual Instance in one of the following ways:
* To connect using an SSH key pair, run the following command:
```sh theme={null}
ssh -i ~/path/to/your/private-key username@public-ip-of-your-instance
```
For example: `ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa ubuntu@185.188.146.129`
* To connect with a password (only if configured during instance creation), run the following command and enter the password when prompted:
```sh theme={null}
ssh username@192.168.1.92
```
To find the instance username and public IP, in the Customer Portal navigate to **Cloud** > **Virtual Instances** and open the instance. The SSH credentials appear next to the **Access to Console** button in the format `[login]@[ip-of-your-instance]`.
Typically, the login matches the OS name — for example, `ubuntu`.
3. When asked to add the device to the list of known devices, enter `yes` and press **Enter**.
4. The connection is established.
## Connect with PuTTY
Follow these instructions to connect to a Virtual Instance from Windows 10/11 devices:
1. Run the [PuTTY app](https://putty.org/).
2. Open the **Session** section and enter the instance IP address in the **HostName (or IP address)** field.
3. Confirm that port 22 is set in the **Port** field. This is the standard port for SSH connections.
To find the instance IP address, in the Customer Portal navigate to **Cloud** > **Virtual Instances**. The IP address appears in the **IP Address** column.
4. Confirm that the **Connection type** parameter is set to **SSH**.
5. From the sidebar, go to **Connection** > **SSH** > **Auth** > **Credentials**.
6. Select **Browse** and locate the private SSH key file.
7. Load the private key file in `.ppk` format.
8. Select **Open** to launch the PuTTY terminal.
9. If connecting to the Virtual Instance for the first time, select **Accept** when prompted to cache the host key.
10. Log in using the following credentials:
* **Login**: enter the username specified during instance creation.
* **Password** (optional): if a password was configured during instance creation, enter it.
To find the instance username and public IP, in the Customer Portal navigate to **Cloud** > **Virtual Instances** and open the instance. The SSH credentials appear next to the **Access to Console** button in the format `[login]@[ip-of-your-instance]`.
Typically, the login matches the OS name — for example, `ubuntu`.
11. Press **Enter**.
12. The connection is established.
## Connect via OpenSSH
Windows has a built-in OpenSSH client that provides terminal access to a Virtual Instance, similar to Linux. The component is not activated by default. Follow these steps to activate it:
1. Open **Windows Settings**.
2. Navigate to **Apps** and select **Optional features**.
3. Find **OpenSSH Client**, expand it, and select **Install**.
4. After the installation completes, restart the computer to apply the settings. The OpenSSH client becomes available from Command Prompt (`cmd.exe`).
5. Open **Command Prompt** and connect to the Virtual Instance in one of the following ways:
* To connect using an SSH key pair, run the following command:
```sh theme={null}
ssh -i ~/path/to/your/private-key username@public-ip-of-your-instance
```
* To connect with a password (only if configured during instance creation), run the following command and enter the password when prompted:
```sh theme={null}
ssh username@192.168.1.92
```
To find the instance username and public IP, in the Customer Portal navigate to **Cloud** > **Virtual Instances** and open the instance. The SSH credentials appear next to the **Access to Console** button in the format `[login]@[ip-of-your-instance]`.
Typically, the login matches the OS name — for example, `ubuntu`.
6. When asked to add the device to the list of known devices, enter `yes` and press **Enter**.
7. The connection is established.