newbie question - ssh tunnels, putty and sooo much more

[CHESH9]

hi guys,

This question may well belong in the newbie section, but this category seemed better suited.

I am almost completely new to linux I have no experience of working in code, but am trying to teach myself using Google and related forums and have to say I am loving it so far!

Although I am now pulling my hair out trying to create a file server on Mint.

I have installed the latest version of Mint on to an old optiplex box that I want to use as a remotely accessible server purely as a dumping ground for all my photographs.

I have downloaded Apache2, a SSH client amongst loads of other packages that I have downloaded from articles found on google.

The optiplex box is hard wired to the router.

I am using putty on a windows laptop, and trying to connect directly to the optiplex box, but I cant establish a connection. In fact I dont even get the password box to appear, all I get is connection timed out error.

The Optiplex box running linux is able to connect to the net...

please can somebody help!! what am I doing wrong!!??

keep the replies simple please

kindest regards

chris

[ktech11]

Does your firewall allow ssh connections? Are you connecting using hostname or IP address?

[CHESH9]

I have tried connecting both ways, how do i find out if my firewall will allow ssh connections? - altho that said, I have tried with the firewall off and still no joy

kind regards

chris

[ktech11]

what port are you using to connect to the server with? Also, are you connecting via IP or via hostname?

[atreyu]

is the ssh daemon running on the Linux box? try to ssh locally (e.g. "ssh user@localhost").

also, you mentioned downloading apache and ssh clients, etc. - are you downloading these to install on the Linux box? If so, you should really use the Package Manager for your distro to install software, whenever possible, e.g.:

sudo apt-get install apache2 openssh-client openssh-server