How to start / stop / restart / enable / reload the OpenSSH server in Linux

If you want to start, stop, restart, enable, reload & check the status of the service follow the below commands to do it. Either root or sudo Authorization required to run the below commands. All the services is available “/etc/init.d/.

1) To Start OpenSSH service

Use the below commands to start the OpenSSH server in Linux.

# For Sysvinit Systems #
# service sshd start
or
# /etc/init.d/sshd start

# For Systemd Systems #
# systemctl start sshd.service
or
# systemctl start sshd
or
# /bin/systemctl start sshd.service

2) To Stop OpenSSH service

Use the below commands to stop the OpenSSH server in Linux.

# For Sysvinit Systems #
# service sshd stop
or
# /etc/init.d/sshd stop

# For Systemd Systems #
# systemctl stop sshd.service
or
# systemctl stop sshd
or
# /bin/systemctl stop sshd.service

3) To Restart OpenSSH service

Use the below commands to restart the OpenSSH server in Linux.

# For Sysvinit Systems #
# service sshd restart
or
# /etc/init.d/sshd restart

# For Systemd Systems #
# systemctl restart sshd.service
or
# systemctl restart sshd
or
# /bin/systemctl restart sshd.service

4) To Reload OpenSSH service

Use the below commands to reload the OpenSSH server in Linux.

# For Sysvinit Systems #
# service sshd reload
or
# /etc/init.d/sshd reload

# For Systemd Systems #
# systemctl reload sshd.service
or
# systemctl reload sshd
or
# /bin/systemctl reload sshd.service

5) To view status of OpenSSH service

Use the below commands to view the status of OpenSSH server in Linux.

# For Sysvinit Systems #
# service sshd status
or
# /etc/init.d/sshd status

# For Systemd Systems #
# systemctl status sshd.service
or
# systemctl status sshd
or
# /bin/systemctl status sshd.service

6) To Enable OpenSSH server in boot

Use the below commands to enable the OpenSSH service in boot.

# For Sysvinit Systems #
# chkconfig sshd on

# For Systemd Systems #
# systemctl enable sshd.service
or
# systemctl enable sshd
or
# /bin/systemctl enable sshd.service

That’all to do.You also like to know how to install or update OpenSSH server on Ubuntu,Do check that.

Please Give your opinion below if you experience any issues or to discuss your ideas and experiences.