Acw,
1. On PS8
Which version of AppLogic do you use?
For an example of PS8 hookup, you can see the LampCluster sample app. If you don't have access to it, please ask your hosting provider to install it -- it is available on AppLogic 2.0.2 beta+. You can also see some details about the app at http://doc.3tera.net/AppLogic2/RefAppLampCluster.html.
If the PS8 doesn't work for you, let us know what the problem is. Remember to set both the in_port and the out_port property for each output terminal you use. The PS8 data sheet is at: http://doc.3tera.net/AppLogic2/CatSwitchesPS8.html and there is a link to the forum thread on PS8 where you can ask questions specifically for that appliance.
2. If the permissions are not an issue (i.e., whoever will log in already has access to the grid), you can log directly into an appliance by using
ssh root@<controller> comp ssh <app>:main.<comp> [command]
3. By design, an output terminal can be connected only to a single input terminal; this removes the need to modify the interior of an appliance if you need to reconnect it (i.e., removes the binding configuration). In order to access more than a single host, you can enable the 'gateway' attribute on the output terminal -- this allows the appliance to be connected either to the whole Internet (e.g., via NET gateway) or to a smaller subset. It also provides the appliance with DNS resolution capability. That said, if what you want to do is ssh directly into some appliances without passing through the controller, the PS8-style approach is the best; we can help you set it up.
Regards,
-- Peter