Article version: Enterprise Server 2.15

This version of GitHub Enterprise will be discontinued on This version of GitHub Enterprise was discontinued on 2019-10-16. No patch releases will be made, even for critical security issues. For better performance, improved security, and new features, upgrade to the latest version of GitHub Enterprise. For help with the upgrade, contact GitHub Enterprise support.

Accessing the Management Console

Use the Management Console to set up and configure your GitHub Enterprise Server instance, schedule maintenance windows, troubleshoot issues, and manage your license.

In this guide

About the Management Console

Use the Management Console for basic administrative activities:

You can always reach the Management Console using your GitHub Enterprise Server instance's IP address, even when the instance is in maintenance mode, or there is a critical application failure or hostname or SSL misconfiguration.

To access the Management Console, you must use the administrator password established during initial setup of your GitHub Enterprise Server instance. You must also be able to connect to the virtual machine host on port 8443. If you're having trouble reaching the Management Console, please check intermediate firewall and security group configurations.

Accessing the Management Console as a site administrator

The first time that you access the Management Console as a site administrator, you must upload your GitHub Enterprise license file to authenticate into the app. For more information, see "Managing your GitHub Enterprise Server license."

  1. In the upper-right corner of any page, click .

    Rocketship icon for accessing site admin settings

  2. In the left sidebar, click Management Console.

    Management Console tab in the left sidebar

  3. If prompted, type your Management Console password.

    Management Console unlock screen

  4. Under the left sidebar, click Save settings.

    Save settings button

Accessing the Management Console as an unauthenticated user

  1. Visit this URL in your browser, replacing hostname with your actual GitHub Enterprise Server hostname or IP address:

    http(s)://HOSTNAME/setup
  2. If prompted, type your Management Console password.
    Management Console unlock screen

Unlocking the Management Console after failed login attempts

The Management Console locks after ten failed login attempts are made in the span of ten minutes. You must wait for the login screen to automatically unlock before attempting to log in again. The login screen automatically unlocks as soon as the previous ten minute period contains fewer than ten failed login attempts. The counter resets after a successful login occurs.

To immediately unlock the Management Console, use the ghe-reactivate-admin-login command via the administrative shell. For more information, see "Command line utilities" and "Accessing the administrative shell (SSH)."

Ask a human

Can't find what you're looking for?

Contact us