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SSH Connection

How to connect to your boneIO controller via SSH?

SSH connection allows for advanced controller configuration, access to configuration files, and executing system commands. It's useful for:

  • Manual editing of YAML configuration files
  • Troubleshooting
  • Network configuration (e.g., static IP address)
  • Operating system updates

Prerequisites

  • Controller's IP address (you can find it on the controller's display or in your router's admin panel)
  • SSH client (built into Windows 10+, Linux, and macOS)

Connection via Ethernet

Windows

  1. Press the Start button
  2. Type cmd and press Enter
  3. In the terminal window, type:
ssh debian@CONTROLLER_IP_ADDRESS

You can also use Windows Terminal: https://github.com/microsoft/terminal

Linux / macOS

  1. Open a terminal (e.g., GNOME Terminal, XFCE Terminal, Terminal.app)
  2. Type:
ssh debian@CONTROLLER_IP_ADDRESS

First connection

On the first connection, you'll be asked to accept the SSH key:

The authenticity of host '192.168.1.100 (192.168.1.100)' can't be established.
ED25519 key fingerprint is SHA256:...
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])?

Type yes and press Enter.

Login credentials

  • Username: debian
  • Password: temppwd

Connection via USB

If the controller doesn't have a network connection, you can connect via USB cable:

  1. Connect a USB cable to the USB port of the controller and to your computer
  2. Wait for the computer to recognize the network device
  3. Your computer will receive an IP address from the 192.168.7.x range
  4. The controller will be available at 192.168.7.2
ssh debian@192.168.7.2

Basic commands

After logging in, you can use the following commands:

cd ~/boneio

List configuration files

ls -la ~/boneio/

Edit configuration file

nano ~/boneio/config.yaml

Restart boneIO service

sudo systemctl restart boneio

Check service status

sudo systemctl status boneio

View logs

journalctl -u boneio -f

Changing password

For security reasons, we recommend changing the default password:

passwd

You'll be prompted to enter the current password (temppwd), then type the new password twice.

Troubleshooting

Connection refused

  • Check if the controller is powered on and connected to the network
  • Make sure you're entering the correct IP address
  • Check if the SSH service is running on the controller

Connection timeout

  • Check if your computer and the controller are on the same network
  • Check your computer's firewall settings

SSH key error

If you get an error related to SSH key change (e.g., after reinstalling the system on the controller):

ssh-keygen -R CONTROLLER_IP_ADDRESS

Then try connecting again.