Alibaba Cloud offers several ways to connect to your ECS instance. Choose the method that best suits your operating system, security requirements, convenience, and network environment.
Choosing a connection tool
|
Connection tool |
Supported OS |
Local installation required |
Public IP requiredEnable public bandwidth |
Passwordless login |
Alibaba Cloud login |
|
Workbench (browser-based) |
Windows, Linux |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Session Manager (browser-based) |
Windows, Linux |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
VNC (browser-based) |
Windows, Linux |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Alibaba Cloud Client |
Windows, Linux |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Third-party SSH client |
Linux |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Third-party RDP client |
Windows |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Connection tools
WorkbenchWorkbench is an Alibaba Cloud browser-based remote connection tool. It requires no local installation and supports features like file transfers and multi-terminal sessions. Related documentation |
Alibaba Cloud ClientAlibaba Cloud Client is a desktop application from Alibaba Cloud for managing your resources. Once installed, you can use it to connect to your ECS instances. Related documentation |
Session ManagerSession Manager, a feature of Cloud Assistant, offers a highly secure way to connect to instances. It improves security by allowing connections to instances without public IP addresses, isolating them from external attacks. It also provides comprehensive auditing, ensuring all operations are traceable. Related documentation |
Third-party SSH clientTo connect to a Linux instance using a third-party SSH client, the instance must have a public IP address or an EIP. Common SSH clients include OpenSSH, PuTTY, and Xshell. Related documentation Connect to a Linux instance by using a third-party client such as OpenSSH or Xshell |
VNCVNC allows you to view the real-time interface of an instance's operating system, even during its startup and shutdown. Since VNC connections are not restricted by security group rules or software running on the instance, VNC is an effective tool for troubleshooting other connection methods. Related documentation |
Third-party RDP clientTo connect to a Windows instance using a third-party RDP client, the instance must have a public IP address or an EIP. Common RDP clients include Microsoft Remote Desktop, Windows Remote Desktop Connection, and Windows App. Related documentation Connect to a Windows instance by using a third-party client such as Remote Desktop or Windows App |
FAQ
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Checking for a public IP address
On the Instances page, you can check if an instance has a public IP address. If it does not, you may need to enable public bandwidth.
In the IP Address column on the Instances page, the address labeled (Public) is the instance's public IP address. If this column only shows a private IP address, no public IP is assigned.
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Checking the instance operating system
The Instances page shows the operating system of your instance.
If you need to change the operating system, see Change the operating system (replace the system disk).