# Connecting to the VM

## Connect ▶️

1. **Open ports:** Allow SSH (22) or RDP (3389) in firewall rules
2. **Connect:**

One way to access the VM/Instance is directly through the Neon Cloud Portal.

In the portal, navigate to the Instances tab, then click the three dots on the far right of the desired instance, and select Console Access.

<figure><img src="https://1802641068-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FAChv0b03d6kwjavnnWlJ%2Fuploads%2FR4E4HeR7jP3ONC9G55Ke%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=61802c1c-a403-40d7-87be-a22a0bca75c0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Another way to access the console is by clicking on the name of the desired instance and then selecting the Console Access tab.

<figure><img src="https://1802641068-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FAChv0b03d6kwjavnnWlJ%2Fuploads%2Fv54AB8pPDGdp2q0rGisK%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=991fefe6-2b0f-4503-b55e-46296b6acffe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### SSH (Linux/macOS)

```bash
ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa ubuntu@<PUBLIC_IP>
```

### PowerShell (Windows → SSH)

```powershell
ssh -i C:\Keys\id_rsa ubuntu@<PUBLIC_IP>
```

### RDP (Windows Server)

* Launch **Remote Desktop Connection**
* Connect to `<PUBLIC_IP>` as **Administrator**
* Change the default password after first login