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I followed step one of this guide to change the SSH port of my server: http://www.linux.com/archive/articles/61061

Now, when I try to log in to it again by typing

    ssh -p 1234 user@my-server

I get the message

    Connection closed by xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

xxx being the IP address of my server. Not using the -p option of using any other port results in the answer

    ssh: connect to host my-server.com port xxx: Connection refused

How can I connect to it again? It's a Debian machine, in case that matters.

6
  • Not ap rogramming question, superuser.com perhaps?
    – Kurt
    Oct 13, 2009 at 0:06
  • Is there a firewall involved? Oct 13, 2009 at 0:06
  • 1
    @Kurt I think ServerFault is more appropriate here because we are dealing with sshd and possibly a firewall. Oct 13, 2009 at 0:07
  • 1
    To debug ssh use -v -v -v -v -v -v
    – delete
    Oct 13, 2009 at 0:10
  • 2
    For future reference, after you make any change to an important service like sshd, ensure that you establish a new session successfully before you close the current session. Restarting sshd does not affect existing ssh sessions, so if you've screwed it up you still have an active session to fix it. If you don't follow this practice, you'll probably going to have to get console access (which may require physical access depending on the hardware) to fix the problem.
    – James F
    Oct 13, 2009 at 7:15

3 Answers 3

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(As Kurt just mentioned) After having changed your default port in sshd_config, did you follow up by ensuring iptables was allowing inbound connections to your new port?

3
  • Don't post non-answer answers. Oct 13, 2009 at 0:09
  • 1
    Telling someone to verify their their firewall is open IS an answer. The phrasing used here is just a bit indirect...
    – Zoredache
    Oct 13, 2009 at 0:21
  • Most likely this is the answer, that the server does not allow any inbound connections on that new port. Is there ANY chance I can get access to it? (physical access is not possible) Oct 13, 2009 at 18:21
1

Did you open a hole in the firewall?

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First of all, ensure that SSH is indeed running on the new port. On the server machine, run

netstat -untap

Check that sshd is listening on port 1234.

Next, check that there are no firewall rules blocking port 1234 anywhere along the network between your client machine and the server (including on the client and the server). By default, your Debian firewall rules should be clear unless you have changed them. However, if there is any other network device sitting between your client and server, it can still block that port.

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