How do I access my machines via SSH?

1. Using the JAVA Terminal
2. Using a client
1. 1. 2.1.1. Windows
  2. 2.1.2. Linux/Unix/Mac OS

Before you can SSH into a machine, you must first ensure that port 22 is open on the security group of that particular instance.

Using the JAVA Terminal

The easiest way to SSH into your machines is to use the intergrated Java terminal. You can access this by clicking on the RightScale logo on the top left corner, and then on the terminal icon next to the instance that you want to access. However, depending on the Java configuration of your local machine, you may have difficulties connectiong with this method.

Using a client

If you want to SSH into your machine by using a client on your machine, the first thing you need to do is to copy the SSH key that the instance is using locally. Go to the Dashboard's home page (Shortcut: click on the RightScale logo) to get a list of all of your active (running) servers. To gain access to the instance, click on the instance's "Nickame" (ex: my-instance).

Now click on the SSH Key link to see the key that this instance is using.

You will need to copy the entire key, including the first and last lines, and paste it into a text editor and save the file.

Windows

To SSH into your instances on a windows machine, we recommend using PuTTY, which is a widely used and freely available telnet client. Go to PuTTY's download page.

Download the following programs:

Client (putty.exe)
Key Generator (puttygen.exe) - convert the SSH key into the proper format.

Once you have downloaded these, run puttygen.exe.

Select File -> Load private key and click Browse to select the SSH key that you copied and pasted from your instance.

Click on the Generate button. Confirm that you want to save the key without a passphrase for protection and click Yes. Save this new file in a convenient place (Desktop) and close the program.

Now run putty.exe.

Click on Connection -> SSH -> Auth and click Browse to select the new key that you just generated with puttygen.exe.

Confirm that you trust the host and click Yes.

In the RightScale Dashboard, copy the "Public DNS name" for the EC2 instance.

Go back to PuTTY Configuration (putty.exe) and paste the public EC2 address of the instance into the "Host Name (or IP address)" field and click Open.