# Connect to a device over SSH

> Open an SSH terminal to a device from your browser. You sign in with a saved credential, or with a username and password.

Section: Connect  
Source: https://www.itva.com/docs/connect/connect-to-a-device-over-ssh  
Last updated: 2026-11-03

When you finish, you will have an SSH terminal open to a device in your browser.

## Before you begin

- Your role has the **Manage** permission for **Connect** and **Devices**.
- The device has a primary or secondary probe, and that probe can reach the device on its SSH port.
- A saved credential for the device. If you are not an administrator, you must use a saved credential. See [Assign credentials to a device](https://www.itva.com/docs/credentials/assign-credentials-to-a-device).
- If the device requires MFA, MFA is set up on your ITVA account.

## Open an SSH session

1. Open the device's page and select **Connect**. You can also open the **Connect** page and select the device.
2. Make sure that **Protocol** is **SSH**.
3. Check the **IP Address** and **Port**. ITVA fills them in from the device.
4. Select a **Credential**. If the device has an assigned credential, ITVA selects it for you.
5. If you are an administrator and do not use a credential, enter a **Username** and **Password**.
6. Select **Connect via SSH**.
7. If ITVA asks for a one-time password, enter the code from your authenticator app and select **Verify**.

The terminal opens in a full-screen window. Administrators can also select a **Probe**. If you leave it on **Auto**, ITVA uses the device's probe.

## Work with open sessions

- To hide the terminal, select the minimize button. The session stays open as a button in the lower-right corner of the page. Select that button to show the terminal again.
- If you have more than one session open, each session shows as a tab at the top of the terminal.
- A colored dot shows the session status: green is connected, yellow is connecting, and red is closed.
- If a session closes, select **Reconnect** in the banner above the terminal.
- To end a session, select the close button.

## Check that it worked

The terminal title shows "Connected to", the device name, and its IP address and port. The status dot is green, and the device's prompt shows in the terminal.

If SSH recording is on, the session also shows in **Settings** > **Logging** > **SSH Logs**.

## Troubleshooting

### The device has no probe

Error: "The selected device does not have a primary or secondary probe assigned." Assign a primary or secondary probe to the device, then try again.

### No credential

Error: "A credential or username/password is required." Select a **Credential**. If you are an administrator, you can enter a username and password instead.

### The probe cannot reach the device

Error: "Probe failed to connect to device." Make sure that the port is correct. Make sure that the probe can reach the device on that port.

### MFA errors

- "MFA is enabled for this device and you have not set up MFA for your account." Set up MFA in your profile settings, then try again.
- "The supplied One-Time Password does not match this account." Enter the current code from your authenticator app.