Perhaps i can shed some light on problems connecting SSH to the n900.

Step 1. Simply enable the extras repository and install openSSH client and server. You can check SSH is now running by using 'ps -ef |grep ssh'

Step 2. try simply ssh root@<lanIP> from another device on the same subnet.....Note: in most cases this will NOT work, even though SSH is set up.

The reason this doesnt work is the way the n900 conserves wifi power and doesnt 'keep alive' the wifi connection

3. From the terminal on the n900, try 'ssh root@127.0.0.1'. Note: in many cases 'localhost' will not resolve so no point using that.

4. if the n900 cant ssh to itself you have an additional problem, but if it does work then all is normal.

5. set the n900 to ping the router.

6. ssh to the n900. the 'pings' keep the wifi alive and you should have no problem getting in