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Asked: 2024-09-27T13:23:10+05:30 In:

I’m encountering difficulties when trying to access a remote Linux server via SSH using ngrok. Despite following the setup instructions, I cannot establish a connection. What steps can I take to troubleshoot this issue and successfully use ngrok for SSH access?

I’m having a bit of a headache trying to get SSH access to a remote Linux server using ngrok, and I could really use some help. Here’s the situation: I followed the setup instructions for ngrok, or at least I thought I did, but when I try to connect, nothing happens. I just get a “Connection refused” message, which is super frustrating.

I’ve checked a few things on my end. First off, I made sure that the SSH service is actually running on the server. I can ping the server fine, so the connection itself seems okay. But when I run the SSH command with the ngrok URL, it’s like nothing is happening. I also verified that I’m using the correct ngrok tunnel command, which should be something like `ngrok tcp 22`. But honestly, I’m starting to feel like I’m missing a step or two somewhere along the way.

I made sure that ngrok is set up correctly and that I have the right token in my configuration. I also looked into the logs that ngrok provides, but they don’t seem to show any obvious errors. It just indicates that the tunnel is online. So, what’s the deal? Is there something specific I should check regarding my firewall settings or the SSH configuration on the server?

Also, could there be any issues with the ngrok account limits? I’m on a free plan, and I read somewhere that it can affect how I connect, especially if I’ve used up my session time. I’d really appreciate it if someone could walk me through the troubleshooting steps. I’ve tried googling solutions, but they all seem a bit too generic and not quite aligned with the problems I’m facing.

If anyone has been in a similar situation or knows the ins and outs of using ngrok for SSH, I’d love to hear your advice or any tips that might help me resolve this issue. Thanks a ton in advance!

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    2 Answers

    1. It sounds like you’re encountering some common pitfalls when trying to establish an SSH connection through ngrok. First, ensure that the SSH server on the remote machine is indeed running and properly configured to accept connections on port 22. Since you can ping the server, connectivity seems fine, but using the command `ngrok tcp 22` is crucial for directing traffic to the correct port. After running this command, ensure that you are utilizing the provided ngrok forwarding URL accurately in your SSH command. The correct format should be something like `ssh -p @`, where `` is the port number assigned by ngrok and `` is the unique URL it generates. If you still get a “Connection refused” error, double-check any local firewall settings and ensure that they’re not blocking outbound connections on the ngrok port.

      If everything seems correctly set up but you’re still encountering issues, it’s also worthwhile to investigate any potential account limitations with your ngrok free plan. Free-tier accounts have some restrictions, such as session time limits and fewer concurrent tunnels, which might impose limitations affecting your connection. Check the ngrok dashboard for any alerts regarding your session time or usage limits. Additionally, reviewing the ngrok logs can provide further insights—look out for any indications of connection attempts being blocked or any other pertinent messages. As a final troubleshooting step, you might want to try connecting your SSH client with verbose mode enabled (using `ssh -v`) to gather more detailed output about what the connection process is doing. This way, you can pinpoint where the failure might be occurring and delve deeper into the issue.

    2. Sounds like you’re having a tough time getting SSH access via ngrok. Let’s see if we can figure it out together!

      First off, it sounds like you’re already checking if the SSH service is running, which is a good start. You might want to also double-check that your SSH configuration on the server (usually found in /etc/ssh/sshd_config) is set to allow incoming connections. Look for any settings that could be preventing access like PermitRootLogin or AllowUsers.

      Since you mentioned you’re using ngrok tcp 22, make sure that the commands you’re using to connect via SSH are pointing to the correct ngrok address. When you run the ngrok command, it gives you a forwarding address like tcp://0.tcp.ngrok.io:xxxxx. You need to be using that exact address for your SSH connection, like so:

      ssh username@0.tcp.ngrok.io -p xxxxx

      Now, on to firewall settings! If you’re using iptables or another firewall, ensure that it’s allowing traffic on port 22. You might need to run a command like:

      sudo iptables -L

      to check your current rules. If it’s blocking, you might need to add a rule to allow SSH.

      Your ngrok free plan limit could also be a potential issue. If you’re reaching your session limits, new tunnels won’t work until the next session or unless you upgrade. Check your ngrok dashboard to see how much you’ve used up!

      If you’ve checked all of this and are still struggling, take a closer look at the logs for both ngrok and your server. Sometimes, there might be hints hidden in there. Also, try to restart the ngrok tunnel and the SSH service to see if that helps.

      Hang in there! Troubleshooting can be really frustrating, but you’ll get through it. If you find anything new or get stuck again, just let me know!

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