# Access the built-in SSH server

Last validated Jul 31, 2026

> **Note:** Border0 + Tailscale is currently in beta.

By default, a Border0 connector has a built-in SSH server. There's no additional configuration required. The built-in SSH server listens only on the tunnel to Border0, so it doesn't listen on port `22` on your connector device. It also won't conflict with any existing SSH services you might already have running on your connector.

## Enable the built-in SSH server

You have the option to enable the built-in SSH server when you create a connector. You can also enable or disable the built-in SSH server after you create a connector.

To enable the built-in SSH server for a connector that is already created:

1. In the Border0 admin portal, open the [**Connectors**][xt-border0-connectors-page] page.
2. Select the connector to configure.
3. Select **Actions**.
4. Select **Edit**.
5. In the **Connector Configuration** page, enable the **Enable Built-in SSH Service** setting.
6. Select **Submit**.

You can now connect to your connector by using the built-in SSH service.

## Connect to the connector

To start an SSH session:

1. In the Border0 admin portal, open the [**Connectors**][xt-border0-connectors-page] page.
2. Select the connector to use for an SSH session.
3. Select **Connect**.
4. Follow the prompts to authenticate.
5. Successful authentication takes you to the client portal, where you have a web-based SSH session.

## SSH username

> **Note:**
>
> The SSH server process will run as the user that started the Border0 connector. If this process starts as user `root`, you can log in as any valid system user, including `root`.

If you run the process as a non-`root` user, then SSH requests to this service should always be done as the same system user.

[xt-border0-connectors-page]: https://portal.border0.com/connectors