This guide explains how I connect to my home PC over SSH when I am working away from home. I built the PC in 2020 to give myself local computing power for deep-learning and CUDA projects without relying entirely on cloud services.
Installing openssh-server is only part of the setup. Because the PC sits behind a home router, the router must also know which device should receive incoming SSH connections. That is where port forwarding comes in.
To configure port forwarding:
- Sign in to your router’s administration page.
- Open the port-forwarding or services section.
- Create a rule for the external port that will receive SSH connections.
- Point the rule to your PC’s private IP address and SSH port.
- Save the rule and apply the changes.
The screenshots below show an example from an AT&T router.
Security note: Exposing SSH directly to the internet increases your attack surface. Disable password authentication, use SSH keys, keep the system updated, and restrict access with a firewall. A private VPN such as Tailscale or WireGuard is usually a safer option because it avoids publishing an SSH port.