> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.glesys.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.glesys.com/products/compute/kvm-virtual-machines/how-tos/connect-with-ssh.md).

# Connect with SSH

To connect to your Linux VM, you use SSH (Secure Shell).

***

To connect to your VM, first, open a terminal. How you do this varies between operating systems and window managers, but generally:

* **Linux:** Search Terminal or press <kbd>CTRL+ALT+T</kbd>.
* **macOS:** Search Terminal.
* **Windows:** Search PowerShell.

If OpenSSH is not installed on your Windows computer by default, see [Microsoft’s documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/openssh/openssh_install_firstuse?tabs=gui) on how to do this, or use PuTTY instead.

Once the terminal is open, enter the following SSH command. Replace `username` with the username on the server and replace the IP address (after the `@`) with your VM’s IP address.

{% code title="Command" %}

```plaintext
ssh username@203.0.113.41
```

{% endcode %}

If you have multiple SSH keys, you may need to specify the path of your private key using the `-i` flag, as in `ssh -i /path/to/private/key username@203.0.113.41`.

The first time you log in, the server isn’t identified on your local computer, prompting you to confirm that you want to continue connecting. You type `yes` and then press `ENTER`.

```plaintext
The authenticity of host '203.0.113.41 (203.0.113.41)' can't be established.
ECDSA key fingerprint is SHA256:IcLk6dLi+0yTOB6d7x1GMgExamplewZ2BuMn5/I5Jvo.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)? yes
```