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Elastic Compute Service

Logging in to an instance

After creating the instance, you must remotely log in to the ECS instance from your local host for subsequent actions, such as setting up a website. You can log in to an ECS instance with various methods. This topic introduces how to choose an appropriate tool to log in to your ECS instance.

Restrictions

Before you log in to the instance, make sure that the instance to be logged in meets the following conditions. Otherwise, the login may fail.

Type	Restrictions
Instance state	You can only log in to instances in the Running status.
Protocol and port	When you use ECS Terminal or third-party tools for remote desktop connection, make sure that the inbound rules of security groups associated with the instance's primary network interface have the relevant protocols and ports enabled. How to view or modify security group rules in the ECS console? or How to change the security group associated with an ECS instance? For the Linux operating system, the default protocol is TCP, and the port is 22. For Windows operating system, the default protocol is RDP, and the port is 3389. You can also modify the default remote port of the ECS instance, and then log in to the instance with the modified port.
Login username	The default login username for Linux instances is root. The default login username for Windows instances is Administrator. You can also create a new user and log in with a custom username.
Authentication method	The following authentication methods are available: Password: The login password is the password set when you create the instance. If you forget your password, reset the password first. Key: After associating the instance with a key pair, you can use the private key to log in to your ECS instance.To view the key pair associated with the instance, refer to Viewing key pairs associated with instances. If you lost the private key, reassociate the key pair. In addition to the above methods, for instance created using a custom image or shared image, you can also use the password or key pair preset in the image to log in to the instance. Learn more
Troubleshooting for login failure	What should I do if I can not remotely connect to the instance? Why can't I connect to my instance even after enabling the port?

When you log in to an ECS instance, methods and tools vary based on the operating system of your local host. The following table provides a comparison of available login tools for your reference. For detailed instructions, refer to relevant documents.

tip

For details on login tools, refer to Introduction to login tools.

If the system detects no operation within 180 seconds after a successful VNC login, disconnection occurs.

When you use third-party tools for login, make sure that the instance to be logged in has an EIP associated. Otherwise, you cannot connect to the instance. How can I view the EIP address associated with an instance? How can I associate an EIP with an instance?

When you use the ECS Terminal or third-party tools for remote desktop connection, enable SSH for Linux instances, or enable RDP for Windows ECS instances. Otherwise, you cannot connect to the instance.

You can use the console-embedded ECS Terminal to log in to ECS instances in self-built web pages of external systems. For specific steps, refer to Console embedding - Using ECS Terminal to log in to instances in external systems.

Operating system of the local host

Whether SSH needs to be turned on

Ease of interaction

Association with an EIP required

Actions guide

ECS console

ECS Terminal (recommended)

Yes

Password and key

You can directly copy or paste text. Therefore, we recommend this type of tool as it provides a smoother user experience.

Using password or key to log in to the Linux instance via ECS console

VNC

Password

You can not directly copy or paste text. Only commands that do not include Chinese can be pasted or copied.

Third-party login tools

Windows

Built-in Command Prompt of Windows--SSH command

Yes

Password and key

Situations vary based on the specific tool.

Yes

Using a Windows host to log in to a Linux instance

PuTTY

Linux

SSH command

Password and key

Using a Linux host to log in to a Linux instance

macOS

Built-in terminal of macOS--SSH command

Password and key

Using MacOS to log in to a Linux instance

Mobile (IOS)

Termius-SSH

Password

Using a mobile client to log in to a Linux instance

Mobile (Android)

JuiceSSH

Password

Last updated: 2026.06.18 16:22:21