Help Center
Home Server & Cloud Infrastructure Dedicated Server

Command Prompt (cmd) with Serial Console (SAC)

For Dedicated Servers and Server Power Deals managed in the server administration of the IONOS account

This article explains how to create a new command prompt in the serial console.

You can use the command prompt to perform actions such as starting or stopping services.

The command prompt (DOS window), which can be started and operated with the SAC, offers many possibilities. For this purpose, an instance of the command prompt must first be created.

Since there are no windows that allow switching back and forth between applications, several instances (e.g. the SAC and a command prompt) are managed via channels. Channel 0 is always the SAC itself.

  • To create a command prompt, type the command cmd. These messages will follow:

    SAC>cmd
    The Command Prompt sesstion was successfully launched.
    SAC> EVENT: A new channel has been created. Use "ch-?" for channel help.
    CHANNEL: Cmd0001
    SAC>

  • The ch command shows you a list of currently used channels. Next to the channel number, (AV) indicates that the channel is active (A = active) and that the channel is made available via a virtual terminal (V = Vir. Term.).

    In addition to the channel number, the channels can also be addressed uniquely by their name, e.g. Cmd0001.

    SAC>ch
    Channel List

    (Use "ch-?" for information on using channels)

    # Status Channel Name
    0 (AV) SAC
    1 (AV) Cmd0001
    SAC>

    There are two ways to jump to another channel.

    • From the SAC with the command ch, e.g. ch -si 1 to jump to the first channel.

    • Esc and then Tab.

    The 2nd one works from all channels and is easier if you only use a few channels at the same time.

  • After you have created a new channel with cmd with a command prompt, press Esc then Tab. The channel description will then appear:

    Name: Cmd0001
    Description: Command Prompt
    Type: VT-UTF8
    Channel GUID: 12345678-9abc-11d8-90ba-505054503030
    Application Type GUID: 123456789-9a0b-1cde-bccf-00b0d014a2d0

    Press for next channel.
    Press 0 to return to the SAC channel.
    Use any other key to view this channel.

  • Press any key to switch to the selected channel.

  • The command prompt gives you full access to your system. Therefore, you need to log in to your system. The commands you type at the command prompt will be executed with the rights of the logged-in user. In the prompt shown, enter the user name and password.

Notes

  • Use the same password you've chosen for your server, not the initialization password that was sent to you.

  • The backspace key does not work! If you mistype the username or password, authentication will fail and the channel will close. You must then create a new prompt in the SAC.

  • Leave the "Domain" field empty if your server is not part of an ActiveDirectory domain. If you do not know if your server is part of a domain, leave the field empty.

  • The connection between your terminal program (PuTTY) and the SSH server is encrypted. For safety reasons, your user data is not transmitted in plain text.

    Enter the login information.
    User name: Administrator
    Domain:
    Password: ********

  • If the authentication is successful, you will see the usual prompt at the command prompt:

    Microsoft Windows (Version 5.2.3790)
    (C) Copyright 1985-2003 Microsoft Corp.

    C:\WINDOWS\system32>

  • You can now start/stop services, edit/copy/delete or rename files, deactivate filter rules, etc. Please note that you cannot use graphical applications.

    You may notice that the terminal output is limited to 24 lines. If you need help texts, lists or similar you can use the vertical bar operator (|) to redirect text output to the program morel, e.g.:

    dir C:\WINDOWS\system32|more

    In most keyboards, the vertical bar is on the lower left corner. Press it and AltGr (or Ctrl and Alt) simultaneously.