---
title: Access your server
slug: run-a-validator/access-your-server
description: Learn how to access a server using a terminal application with this step-by-step document. Discover how Mac users can utilize the built-in terminal app, while Windows users must download an application like PuTTY. Gain insight into the necessary 'root' us
docTags: 
createdAt: 2023-10-06T01:20:05.595Z
---

Your server hosting company will provide you with the username, password, and IP address of your server. You will then need to use a terminal application to interact with the server via text based prompts. The default administrator user is usually called `root` and it has unlimited power in the operating system. `root` access is required for admin-level commands. A standard non-privledged user will be used for day to day stuff.

# Apple / Mac

You will need to access your server using a CLI (command line interface). If you use a UNIX based operating system like Mac OS, then you can use the built-in terminal app for this.

See [What is Terminal on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/terminal/what-is-terminal-trmld4c92d55/2.14/mac/14.0) guide

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To access your server in terminal, you will use the command `ssh root@<ipaddress>`





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# Windows

If you use a Windows PC, then you will need a terminal application such as PuTTY. You can learn about it on their website [putty.org](https://putty.org). You need to download the correct version for your machine...most likely this one (64-bit x86:[putty-64bit-0.79-installer.msi)](https://the.earth.li/~sgtatham/putty/latest/w64/putty-64bit-0.79-installer.msi)

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![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/ePevXmvzgG-7aqJ72Gpg_/9TKZR-wre1iOQFJ2YVQFZ_image.png)

To access your server in PuTTY, you will enter `root@<ipaddress>` into the Host Name field.