SSH, or Secure Shell, is the backbone of remote server administration. Whether you’re managing a VPS, deploying a web application, or simply exploring Linux from afar, SSH gives you the power to control your system securely over the network. But once you’ve logged in with ssh user@serverip, what comes next? For many beginners, the blinking cursor can feel like a wall. This article breaks down the most essential SSH commands — the ones you’ll use daily — and explains them in a way that’s both practical and approachable.

Let’s dive into the commands that transform you from a passive observer into a confident Linux operator.

🚪 Connecting to a Remote Server

Before you can run any commands, you need to establish a secure connection to your server. This is done using the ssh command:

ssh username@hostname_or_ip

Replace username with your actual Linux user and hostname_or_ip with the server’s IP address or domain name. If you’re using a custom port, you can specify it with the -p flag:

ssh -p 2222 username@hostname_or_ip

Once connected, you’ll find yourself in a terminal session on the remote machine — ready to take control.

📁 Navigating the File System

One of the first things you’ll want to do is explore the server’s file system. Linux uses a hierarchical structure, and these commands help you move around and inspect what’s there.

  • ls lists the contents of a directory. Use ls -la to see hidden files and detailed permissions.
  • cd changes your current directory. For example, cd /var/www takes you to the web root.
  • pwd prints your current location in the file system.
  • mkdir creates a new directory, and touch creates an empty file.

These commands are foundational. Once you’re comfortable navigating directories, you’ll find it much easier to manage configurations, logs, and application files.

🧹 Managing Files and Directories

Linux gives you powerful tools to manipulate files directly from the terminal. Here are the most common ones:

  • rm deletes files. Use rm -r foldername to remove directories recursively.
  • cp copies files from one location to another. For example, cp file.txt /backup/file.txt creates a backup.
  • mv moves or renames files. It’s perfect for organizing or updating filenames.
  • cat displays the contents of a file, while nano or vi lets you edit it directly in the terminal.

Whether you’re updating a config file or cleaning up old logs, these commands make file management fast and efficient.

🔍 Searching and Monitoring

As your server grows, so does the complexity of its file system and logs. These commands help you search and monitor effectively:

  • grep searches for patterns inside files. It’s invaluable for finding errors in logs.
  • find locates files across directories. Use it to track down misplaced configs or scripts.
  • du shows disk usage, helping you identify space hogs.
  • history displays your previous commands, which is great for retracing steps.
  • clear refreshes your terminal view, giving you a clean slate.

These tools are especially useful during troubleshooting or when you’re auditing server performance.

🌐 Downloading and Archiving

Sometimes you need to grab files from the internet or compress directories for transfer. These commands make that easy:

  • wget downloads files from a URL. For example, wget https://example.com/file.zip pulls a file directly to your server.
  • tar compresses or extracts archives. Use tar -czvf archive.tar.gz folder/ to create a compressed archive, and tar -xzvf archive.tar.gz to unpack it.

These are essential when deploying software, backing up data, or transferring large projects.

🔑 Authentication and File Transfer

Once you’re comfortable with SSH, you’ll want to streamline access and move files between machines. SSH keys and SCP are your best friends here.

  • ssh-keygen creates a secure key pair for passwordless login.
  • ssh-copy-id installs your public key on a remote server, enabling key-based authentication.
  • scp securely copies files between machines. For example, scp file.txt user@host:/path/ transfers a file to another server.

These commands not only improve security but also save time — especially when managing multiple servers.

🧠 Final Thoughts

SSH isn’t just a tool — it’s a gateway to full control over your Linux environment. The commands we’ve covered here form the backbone of server management. Once you master them, you’ll be able to deploy applications, troubleshoot issues, and automate tasks with confidence.

Whether you’re running infrastructure through VM6 Networks, managing hosting environments with Own Web, or simply learning the ropes, these SSH basics will serve you well. They’re the difference between guessing and knowing, between watching and doing.

All these commands work with our UK VPS Hosting Linux packages.