Remote SSH access

You can enable SSH to access a terminal on your system over your network. Once enabled, you can connect from any system with an SSH client.

These instructions also install avahi-daemon, so you can connect using the server’s name with no other infrastructure needed.

Enable SSH server

1. Open a terminal emulator.

   • On systems with a desktop environment, launch a terminal emulator.

   • On systems with no desktop environment, a terminal emulator starts by default once you log in.

2. Install packages: sudo apt install -y openssh-server avahi-daemon

   • Commands using sudo may prompt for your password. If so, type your password and press Enter. For security, nothing is shown on the screen when typing.

3. Find your username: id -un

4. Find the system’s hostname: hostnamectl hostname

Connect remotely

1. Open a terminal.

2. Install an SSH client:

   • On PureOS or Debian systems: sudo apt install -y openssh-client

   • On other systems, refer to your system’s documentation.

3. Connect to the server: ssh <username>@<hostname>.local

   • Fill in the username and hostname you found above. For example: ssh bill@office-laptop.local

4. If this is your first time connecting from this system, SSH will ask to confirm the server’s identity. On a trusted network, you can type yes and press Enter. SSH will save this identity and use it to authenticate the server in the future.

   The authenticity of host 'office-laptop (192.168.1.101)' can't be established.
   ED25519 key fingerprint is SHA256:ki457+eGuZOHy/myYC9YtLGUP8hY+EqIn8wmy+Vo5rs.
   This key is not known by any other names.
   Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])?
   

5. Type the password for the remote user and press Enter.