> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.gcore.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect to a Virtual Machine via SSH

> Connect to a Gcore Virtual Machine over SSH using key pairs or a password, with security group rules and PuTTY key conversion steps.

The SSH protocol provides secure remote login between machines. It supports connections to Gcore Virtual Machines running Linux.

Two authentication methods are available:

* With SSH keys
* With a password

The second method is available only if a password was configured during VM creation using the [initial setup](/cloud/virtual-instances/customize-initial-setup-for-your-instance#customize-the-initial-setup-for-your-instance) options.

> [!NOTE]
>
> The [VNC console](/cloud/virtual-instances/connect/connect-to-your-instance-via-control-panel) in the [Gcore Customer Portal](https://portal.gcore.com) provides an alternative browser-based connection method.

## SSH connection steps

Complete the steps below in order.

1\. [SSH keys](/cloud/virtual-instances/connect/connect-to-your-instance-via-ssh): Create a key pair — a public key stored in the Customer Portal and a private key stored locally.

2\. (Optional) [Key conversion](/cloud/ssh-keys/convert-an-ssh-key-from-pem-to-ppk): Convert SSH keys from .pem to .ppk format — applies only to PuTTY users (a separate SSH client for Windows; skip if connecting via terminal or Command Prompt).

3\. [Security group](/cloud/networking/add-and-configure-a-firewall#use-the-default-firewall): Configure inbound and outbound rules to allow SSH connections on the instance.

4\. [SSH connection](/cloud/virtual-instances/connect/establish-ssh-connection-to-an-instance): Authenticate using the recommended method for the operating system.