Creating a user with Shell (SSH) access

Overview

You can create a new SFTP or shell user, or grant or remove shell (SSH) access for an existing user, from the SFTP Users & Files page in the DreamHost panel — only shell users can run Unix commands. This article explains how to create or edit a user with SFTP or shell access.

Background

A user assigned to your website is the username you use to log in to your server using an FTP program or a terminal application. This user can be created as either an SFTP or shell (SSH) user. The difference is that only a shell user can run Unix commands on the server from a terminal. DreamHost provides shell access to all of its customers, but it needs to be specifically enabled for each user you add to your account.

How do I create or edit a user?

You can create a new user or edit an existing user in the panel.

How do I create a new user with shell access?

1. Navigate to the SFTP Users & Files page in your panel.
2. On the top right, click the Create User button.
   A popout appears.
3. Enter the following:
   • Username — A username for the new user.
   • Server — Click the down arrow and select the server on which the user will have access.
   • Password (Generate strong password) — Enter a password or click the button to have the panel create a strong password for you.
   • Secure Shell Access (SSH) — Use the toggle button to enable Secure Shell/SSH (toggle right). When enabled, the toggle button turns blue.
   • Shell Type — When Secure Shell access is enabled, the Select the Shell Type drop-down box appears. You can select bash, tcsh, ksh, or zsh. See shell users for more information about the various Shell types you can use.
4. When finished, click the Create User button.
   The panel displays a status update as the user is created.

How do I give an existing user shell access?

1. Navigate to the SFTP Users & Files page in your panel.
2. Select a user and click the Login info button.
   The panel shows you if your user is an SFTP user.
3. To the right of Secure Shell Access (SSH), enable the toggle.
   The panel updates the permissions for this user. When finished, a green checkmark displays.
4. Click the Login info button again to the right of the user.
   
   The following changes display:

   • File Access — Changes to SFTP/SSH.
   • Secure Shell Access (SSH) — The toggle turns blue when enabled.
   • Shell Type — Select a shell type from the drop-down list that you wish to use.

How do I connect to my server?

After you create a new shell user, you can refer to the following articles to learn more about how to connect to your server:

• Configure PuTTY
• How to configure passwordless login in Mac OS X and Linux
• Set up passwordless login in PuTTY
• SSH client software
• UNIX commands

See also

• SSH overview
• Available shells at DreamHost
• Difference between SFTP and Shell users