How to Connect to Your OMC Cloud Server

Short version: connect to a Windows server with Remote Desktop (press Win + R, type mstsc, enter the server IP and log in as administrator). Connect to a Linux server over SSH (PuTTY or a terminal, port 22, user root). On a Mac, install Microsoft Remote Desktop from the App Store and add the server as a new PC. You will find the server's IP address in your OMC Cloud console as soon as the server is created.

What do you need before you connect?

Whatever operating system you use, three details from your OMC Cloud account get you in:

• The server's IP address, shown in the web console right after the server or desktop is created.
• The username: administrator on Windows servers, root on Linux servers.
• The password you chose when you created the server.

The connection method depends on the server, not on your computer: Windows servers use RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), Linux servers use SSH.

How to connect to a Windows server from a Windows PC

1. Find the server's IP address in your web console after creating the server or desktop.
2. Open the Run window by pressing Win + R, then type mstsc and press Enter.
3. Enter the IP address in the Computer field.
4. Enter your login details. When prompted, choose More choices and sign in with the username administrator and the password you chose.
5. Accept the security warning. The first time you connect, Windows asks you to confirm the server's certificate.
6. You are connected. The server's desktop opens in the Remote Desktop window.

The first connection shows a certificate warning. Confirm it to continue to the server.

Note: Windows Home editions do not include the built-in Remote Desktop client, so you will need a third-party RDP app. To check your edition, type winver in the Run window.

How to connect to a Linux server over SSH

Linux servers do not use RDP. You connect over SSH instead, from a terminal on macOS or Linux, or with PuTTY on Windows.

1. Open your SSH client. On Windows, launch PuTTY.
2. Enter the connection details: the server's IP address and the SSH port, then click Open. The default SSH port is 22.
3. Log in with the default username root and your SSH password.
4. You are connected. You now have a shell on your server.

In PuTTY, enter the server IP as the Host Name, keep SSH and port 22, then click Open.

Type root at the login prompt, then your SSH password.

From a Mac or Linux terminal the same connection is a single command: ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

How to connect to a Windows server from a Mac

1. Install Microsoft Remote Desktop from the Mac App Store.
2. Add the server. Open the app, click Add PC and enter the server's IP address.
3. Enter your login details: the username administrator and the password you chose when creating the server.
4. Start the connection by double-clicking the saved PC in the list.
5. Work on the server directly from your Mac.

Open Microsoft Remote Desktop and click Add PC.

In the Add PC dialog, type the server IP as the PC name. The app asks for the administrator password when you connect.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I find my server's IP address?

In the OMC Cloud web console. It appears as soon as the server or desktop has been created.

What is the username for my server?

administrator for Windows servers and root for Linux servers. The password is the one you chose when you created the server.

Can I use Remote Desktop to connect to a Linux server?

No. Linux servers are reached over SSH, with PuTTY on Windows or the ssh command on macOS and Linux.

Why can't I find Remote Desktop on my Windows PC?

Windows Home editions do not include the built-in client. Run winver to check your edition, and install a third-party RDP app if you are on Home.

Conclusion

Connecting to your OMC Cloud server takes a minute once you have the IP address, username and password from your console. Use Remote Desktop (mstsc) for Windows servers, SSH on port 22 for Linux servers, and Microsoft Remote Desktop when you work from a Mac. If you get stuck at any step, our 24/7 support team is here to help.