Troubleshooting SSH connection issues to Scaleway Mac mini servers

Before you start

To complete the actions presented below, you must have:

• A Scaleway account logged into the console
• Owner status or IAM permissions allowing you to perform actions in the intended Organization
• An SSH key
• A Mac mini

Problem

You are unable to connect to your Scaleway Mac mini via SSH.

Symptoms

• SSH connection attempts fail.
• "Permission denied" or "Connection refused" errors appear.
• Timeouts occur when trying to establish an SSH connection.

Possible causes

• The SSH key was not uploaded during the Mac mini setup.
• Your IP has been blacklisted due to multiple failed authentication attempts.
• The Mac mini requires a reboot to apply SSH key changes.

Solution

Verify your SSH key

Ensure your SSH key is correctly configured before attempting to connect:

• Follow the instructions to generate and upload an SSH key.

Check for connection blacklisting

Repeated failed login attempts can trigger Scaleway’s security mechanisms, blocking your connection. To resolve this:

• Reboot your Mac mini to reset the fail2ban security measures. A reboot ensures your SSH key is applied correctly and clears blacklisted IPs.

  1. Log in to the Scaleway console.
  2. Click Apple silicon in the Bare Metal section of the side menu.
  3. Select your Mac mini from the list.
  4. Scroll down to the Reboot Mac mini section and click Reboot.
  5. Confirm the reboot.
  Note

  The reboot must be carried out via the Scaleway console, and not via any other method, in order to resolve the problem.

Attempt SSH connection again

After the reboot, attempt to reconnect using:

ssh -i /path/to/your/private_key user@<server_ip>

Replace /path/to/your/private_key with your actual private key location and <server_ip> with your Mac mini’s IP address.

Further troubleshooting

If the issue persists, contact Scaleway's support for assistance.