Console Access
Access your instance via web-based VNC or serial terminal console.
Console Access
Access your cloud instance directly from the browser — no SSH client or additional software required. The web console provides a secure, real-time connection to your instance's display or serial port, making it invaluable when SSH is unreachable.
Console Types
HUC offers two console types, each suited to different scenarios:
| Console | Technology | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| VNC Console | noVNC (graphical) | Full desktop environments, GUI applications, OS installers |
| Serial Terminal | xterm.js (text) | Lightweight access, boot diagnostics, headless servers |
VNC Console (noVNC)
The VNC console renders a full graphical framebuffer in your browser. You get the same experience as sitting in front of a physical monitor connected to the server.
- Full graphical output — See the desktop environment, boot splash, BIOS/UEFI screens, and GUI applications
- Keyboard and mouse input — Send keystrokes (including Ctrl+Alt+Del) and mouse events directly to the instance
- Clipboard support — Copy and paste text between your local machine and the console
- Automatic scaling — The display resizes to fit your browser window
Serial Terminal (xterm.js)
The serial terminal connects to the instance's serial port, providing a lightweight text-based console rendered with xterm.js.
- Minimal bandwidth — Text-only output uses a fraction of the bandwidth compared to VNC
- Boot diagnostics — Watch kernel boot messages, GRUB menus, and systemd startup in real time
- Reliable on slow connections — Works well even on high-latency or low-bandwidth networks
- Scriptable interaction — Ideal for entering commands during recovery or initial setup
How to Access the Console
- Navigate to Cloud Compute in the dashboard
- Select the instance you want to access
- Click the Console button on the instance detail page
- Choose VNC or Serial Terminal from the console type selector
- The console opens in a new panel — start interacting immediately
The console connection is established over a secure WebSocket proxy (wss://). All traffic between your browser and the instance is encrypted in transit.
Rate Limiting
Console connections are rate limited to 10 requests per minute per instance. This prevents abuse and ensures stable performance for all users. If you hit the limit, wait briefly before reconnecting.
Use Cases
| Scenario | Recommended Console |
|---|---|
| Debug boot failures or kernel panics | Serial Terminal |
| Install or configure GUI applications | VNC Console |
| Rescue access when SSH is down | Either — Serial Terminal for speed, VNC for full control |
| Monitor GRUB or BIOS screens | VNC Console |
| Run initial setup on a fresh instance | Serial Terminal |
| Access Windows Server desktop | VNC Console |
Tips
- Stuck keyboard keys — If a key appears stuck in the VNC console, click outside the console frame and back in to reset the input state.
- Send special keys — Use the toolbar above the VNC console to send Ctrl+Alt+Del and other key combinations that your OS might intercept.
- Serial console not responding — Some OS images do not enable the serial console by default. You may need to configure
ttyS0in your GRUB settings or cloud-init script. - Session timeout — Console sessions time out after a period of inactivity. Reconnect by clicking the Console button again.
The web console is intended for interactive troubleshooting and administration. For day-to-day server management, SSH remains the recommended access method due to better performance and scriptability.
Next Steps
- Learn about Cloud-Init & User Data to automate instance configuration
- Review SSH Keys for secure day-to-day access
- Explore Managing Instances for power controls, resizing, and more