> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.latitude.sh/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Remote access

All of Latitude.sh's servers feature remote access capabilities so your server can be managed even when it's off or unresponsive. You can choose between two remote access methods: **Direct IPMI Access** (recommended) and **VPN Access**.

Remote Access is included at no cost.

## Selecting Your Remote Access Method

When you first access the Remote Access feature for a server, you'll be presented with a method selection interface that defaults to the recommended Direct IPMI Access method:

1. Navigate to your server's overview page
2. Click on the **Remote Access** action
3. Choose your preferred method from the dropdown:
   * **Direct IPMI Access** (Recommended): Direct browser-based IPMI access - easier method but doesn't support the JAVA console
   * **VPN Access**: Connect through a secure VPN session to access IPMI - supports the JAVA console if needed

Your selected method will be automatically saved and remembered for each server. You can change methods at any time using the dropdown selector at the top of the Remote Access interface.

## Direct IPMI Access (Recommended)

Direct IPMI Access provides immediate browser-based access to your server's Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI). This is the recommended method for remote server management as it provides an easier method to access and manage your server, but doesn't support the JAVA console.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/latitudesh/jTa6J8Hv5F4W4vnJ/images/product/13.Docs25Q4.RemoteAccess.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jTa6J8Hv5F4W4vnJ&q=85&s=133402850935d991439c7f9e7c2ff8db" alt="Remote access interface" width="2940" height="1450" data-path="images/product/13.Docs25Q4.RemoteAccess.png" />

### Connecting to Direct IPMI

1. Select **Direct IPMI Access** from the method dropdown (this is the default selection)
2. Click **Generate IPMI credentials** to create access credentials
3. Copy the username and password provided
4. Click **Access IPMI** to open the IPMI interface in your browser
5. Log in using the generated credentials

<Warning>
  The IPMI password is only shown once, so you'll need to generate new
  credentials if you need to access your server again in the future.
</Warning>

## VPN Access

VPN Access provides a secure connection to your server's IPMI through a dedicated VPN session. If you need to use the JAVA console feature, use VPN Access instead of Direct IPMI Access.

### Setting up VPN Access

1. Select **VPN Access** from the method dropdown
2. Click **Create VPN session** to establish a new VPN connection
3. Once created, you'll see the VPN connection details including:
   * **Host**: VPN server address
   * **Port**: Connection port
   * **Username**: Your VPN username
   * **Password**: Your VPN password (can be refreshed if needed)
   * **Expires at**: Session expiration time

### Connecting via VPN

1. **Step 1: Connect to the VPN** using the provided credentials with your preferred VPN client
2. **Step 2: Access IPMI** once connected to the VPN, you'll be able to access your server's IPMI interface

### Managing VPN Sessions

* **Refresh Password**: Click the refresh button next to the password field to generate a new password
* **Delete Session**: Click **Delete VPN session** to terminate the current VPN connection
* VPN sessions automatically expire after the specified time period

## Troubleshooting

### General Issues

* The remote access feature only supports HTML5 console
* If you need to deploy a custom image, use the iPXE option available on the dashboard
* Your method preference is saved per server, so you can use different methods for different servers

### Direct IPMI Issues

* The IPMI URL may take a few seconds to become available after generation
* Make sure to copy credentials before closing the interface, as they're only shown once

### VPN Access Issues

* Ensure your VPN client supports the connection type provided
* Check that the VPN session hasn't expired
* Try refreshing the VPN password if you're having authentication issues

If you encounter any issues with either access method, please contact support.
