Can connect to my SSH server only with 192.168.0.xx but not with my IP (using PuTTY)

[nicmac]

Hi there, I'm going in France for a few weeks, visiting family, and I'd like to be able to access files on my Debian computer, show them stuff and all...
I thought using sftp to do such, and so i installed OpenSSH.

Now, the thing is i'm having trouble connecting to my SSH server.
I suppose everything is nicely set and working, because i can sftp://localhost (in Konqueror) and connect to localhost via PuTTY successfully.
But, when I replace "localhost" by my IP, i get the following error message with PuTTY : "Connection Refused". Also, when i sftp://xxx.xxx.xx.xx, i get an error.

I am trying to access my files from my computer itself.. it is only for testing purposes for now, but i want to be able to connect from different other computers while on trip.
I forwarded the port 22 to my machine from the router configuration page, and have no firewall.

Is the fact that i can connect using "localhost" a proof that my ssh server is functioning properly?

Any ideas what the problem could be?

Thanks

[bigtomrodney]

You can't connect to your WAN address from on the LAN. Ensure you have the correct ports forwarded to your PC from your router and then check from an outside PC.

[rudie_rage]

You can't connect to your WAN address from on the LAN.

How do you figure? I do it daily some months using apache and ssh.

I test localhost or a 192.168.xx.xx to make sure the service is running, then find my ip and try that to make sure the ports are forwarded properly. Then finally I use my url to make sure dyndns knows I am where I am.

[bigtomrodney]

I have never seen that work. I'm not doubting you but in all the various combinations of networks I have run myself and those belonging to other people I have encountered it has not been possible to access your own WAN address from within the network.

[rudie_rage]

bizzare... I feel so... special :P

The internet loves me more you cant have her! :P

[dfxdeimos]

I also have had problems connecting from INSIDE the network via the WAN IP address.

I suspect that if you forward your ports properly, using your WAN IP won't work from the inside, but should work just fine from another connection... give it a try!

[nicmac]

Thanks a lot for your replies!
I currently have no access to a computer out of my WAN, so I hope everything'll be fine when I try to connect from France..
Cheers

[bigtomrodney]

If you're worried I can check the service for you - send me a private message. Don't worry I wouldn't want passwords or anything, just basically ping the service with telnet or similar.