I have ubuntu server 8.04 setup and running ssh. I initially setup ssh with the standard port 22 and it worked. I could access the server from work by forwarding port 22 on my wifi router to my server.

Then I wanted to change to a non-standard port to help minimize ssh attacks. So, I've tried ports 40, 8989, and 8988. I changed the port in sshd_config and changed the router to forward, for example, port 40 to my server. I then tried to ssh the server using port 40 and I get:

Network error: Connection timed out

I just don't understand why it worked with port 22, but not port 40.

This is just a shot in the dark, but did you restart the ssh daemon after you made the changes to the config file? The changes won't take effect until after you restart the daemon.

I've honestly never even used SSH before, but I didn't see any mention of restarting it, so it's worth a shot.

Sorry, I should have mentioned this. Yes, I did restart the daemon. I had no trouble logging into the ssh server from ports 40, 8989, and 8988 when on my LAN. However, from the internet I get the time out error on those ports, but not with port 22. The standard ssh port. Each time I also changed the port forwarding in the router.

Haha, so much for my guess. I just didn't see you mention it, so I thought I'd throw it out there. What kind of router do you have?

Is there a firewall?
If yes did you open the new port ?

It's a Linksys WRT54GL running dd-wrt. I've setup my server with a static ip from the router and ubuntu and then I port forward to the server ip 192.168.1.100.

firewall on the server?

Nothing on ubuntu server that I've setup. From what I've read ufw is disabled by default and I definitely haven't turned it on (yet). Once I get this ssh stuff figured out I was planning on turning it on and setting it up.

Here's the link to the ubuntu server firewall guide, stating that:

ufw by default is initially disabled
https://help.ubuntu.com/8.04/serverg.../firewall.html

what is the output from
iptables -L
on the server?

Will be home in about an hour and I'll report.

Also try to use a higher port
2200 or 2222

I tried 8989 and 8988, hidden in my first post . Should that work?

What's your SSH command line look like when you are trying to use a non-standard port?

I'm actually using putty from work. So, I just enter the WAN IP and the port. Like I said, it worked just fine with port 22, the other ports give me the connection time out error.

bob@server:~$ sudo iptables -L
[sudo] password for bob:
Chain INPUT (policy ACCEPT)
target prot opt source destination

Chain FORWARD (policy ACCEPT)
target prot opt source destination

Chain OUTPUT (policy ACCEPT)
target prot opt source destination
bob@server:~$