K5 Help With Final Steps of USBNet Hack

Hi, all!
Just trying to finalize getting UBNet running for the first time on my Kindle Touch (K5). I'm on OSX and the firmware on the Kindle is 5.3.7.3. I've installed the pertinent jailbreak and hot fix, as well as kterm, KUAL, and the package installer without issue. I'm thinking my problem here is probably sysadmin inexperience. I'll post my steps below in case I'm doing something glaringly wrong. Any input is appreciated!

1. 1. Delete usbnet folder
2. 2. Drop uninstall usbnet binary into mrpackages → Eject Kindle
3. 3. Helper → Install MR Packages → USBNet uninstall
4. 4. Re-Mount kindle → Re-install USBNet (
   Code:

   ---

   0.22.N I K5

   ---

   )
5. 5. Re-Mount kindle → Ensure config is set to defaults (IP addr of `192.168.15.244`)
6. 6. Eject Kindle (unplug) → run
   Code:

   ---

   ;un

   ---

   → plug back in
7. 7. Network Settings showing “RNDIS/Ethernet Gadget”
8. 8. Set “Configure IPV4” to “Manually” and set to
   Code:

   ---

   192.168.15.244

   ---

9. a. Subnet Mask and Router are blank here…
10. b. Status says “Connected” and I am seeing a green light
11. 9. When I run
    Code:

    ---

    ssh root@192.168.15.244

    ---

    nothing happens
12. 10. Plugging and unplugging it while running
    Code:

    ---

    ifconfig

    ---

    shows me that it’s showing up as
    Code:

    ---

    en8

    ---

13. 11. I run sudo
    Code:

    ---

    ifconfig en8 192.168.15.244

    ---

14. 12. Running
    Code:

    ---

    ssh root@192.168.15.244

    ---

    now results in a “Port 22: Connection refused”
15. 13. I generate an ssh key per the README thread and copy it over while the kindle is in mass storage mode
16. a. Place the
    Code:

    ---

    .pub

    ---

    into
    Code:

    ---

    usbnet/etc

    ---

    as
    Code:

    ---

    authorized_keys

    ---

17. 14. Eject → Unplug →
    Code:

    ---

    ;un

    ---

    → Plug back in → Re-do
    Code:

    ---

    ifconfig

    ---

18. 15. Attempt ssh connect passing identity with corresponding id file
19. 16. Still getting “Port 22: Connection Refused”

Anything here look weird? Again, anything helps! Thank you for your time