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Console Access

Console Access opens a browser-based VNC session to your instance. Use it to reach the operating system without SSH or RDP. Watch the boot screen while you troubleshoot startup or network problems, or recover an instance after you lock yourself out.

Open the console

Section titled “Open the console”
  1. Go to Compute → Instances and open your instance.
  2. On the Virtual Machine Overview, find the actions toolbar and click the console icon (marked 1 below).

The console opens in a new browser tab and connects automatically.

ZCP Virtual Machine Overview with the console icon, Username, and Provisioning Password highlighted

The same overview shows what you need to sign in:

  • Username (marked 2): the default user for the image, for example ubuntu on Ubuntu or Administrator on Windows. Use the copy icon to copy it.
  • Provisioning Password (marked 3): the auto-generated password set on first boot. A dash means the instance was created with an SSH key and no password. Reset the password from the portal first, then sign in (the new password applies after the next reboot).

Sign in

Section titled “Sign in”

Enter the username and password at the login prompt.

noVNC browser console showing the Ubuntu login prompt and the console toolbar

The address bar (marked 4) points at the regional console proxy, for example yow.consoleproxy.zcp.zsoftly.ca.

Console toolbar

Section titled “Console toolbar”

A small toolbar sits on the left edge of the console:

  • Extra keys (marked 1): send keys the browser intercepts (see Keyboard shortcuts).
  • Clipboard (marked 2): copy text between your machine and the instance.
  • Full screen (marked 3): expand the console to fill your screen.

Keyboard shortcuts

Section titled “Keyboard shortcuts”

The Extra keys button opens these inputs:

  • Toggle Control (Ctrl): Simulates pressing the Control key.
  • Toggle Alt: Simulates pressing the Alt key.
  • Toggle Shift: Simulates pressing the Shift key.
  • Toggle Windows Key: Simulates the Windows key.
  • Send Tab: Sends a Tab key input.
  • Send Escape (Esc): Sends an Escape key input.
  • Send Ctrl+Alt+Delete: Sends the Ctrl+Alt+Delete combination.
  • Clipboard: Copies text between the local machine and the VM.
  • Full-Screen Mode: Expands the VM console to full-screen.

When to use the console

Section titled “When to use the console”
  • Reach an instance before SSH or RDP is configured or reachable.
  • Fix a broken network, firewall, or SSH setting that blocks remote access.
  • Read kernel or login messages while the instance boots.
  • Recover access after a lost key or password (reset the password from the portal first).

See also

Section titled “See also”

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