Before setting up the SSH daemon, you need to start a VM on a XenoServer. To do so, see Using a XenoClient to deploy tasks on XenoServers. This documentation describes how SSH access can be set up on an existing XenoServer VM that runs Debian Linux.

Step 1 - Set up DNS

Check the /etc/resolv.conf file to make sure it contains the correct DNS settings, for instance:

domain deploy.xenoserver.org
nameserver 193.201.201.18
nameserver 193.201.200.22

Step 2 - Set up apt

Make sure the /etc/apt/sources.list file contains the following line:

deb ftp://ftp-uxsup.csx.cam.ac.uk/pub/linux/debian/ stable main contrib

Step 3 - Set up the root password

Set the root password in the VM by typing:

$ passwd

Then enter the password.

Step 4 - Create a non-root user

Create a new user without root privileges by typing:

$ adduser

Then enter provide the username and password for the new user, as well as real name etc. and confirm the above information when asked.

Step 5 - Install SSH

Install SSH in the VM by typing:

$ apt-get update
$ apt-get install ssh

Step 6 - Configure SSH

Edit the file /etc/ssh/sshd_config and change the following line:

from Port 22
to Port [portnum]

where [portnum] is one of the ports you have purchased when creating the VM. The SSH daemon will use this port to use to listen for connections.

Step 7 - Test

Test that SSH is listening for connections by doing (from another machine):

ssh [server] -p [portnum] -l [username]

where [server] is the address of the XenoServer, [portnum] is the port you have assigned to the SSH daemon in Step 6, and [user] is the username of the non-root user you created in Step 4.