How to Restart sshd Service: A Comprehensive Guide
In today’s digital age, remote access to servers is crucial for system administrators and developers. Secure Shell (SSH) is a widely used protocol for secure remote login and other secure network services over an unsecured network. The sshd service, which stands for SSH daemon, is the server-side application that allows users to connect to a remote server securely. However, there may be instances when you need to restart the sshd service to resolve issues or apply configuration changes. In this article, we will discuss the steps to restart the sshd service on various operating systems.
Restarting sshd Service on Linux
1. Using the Service Command:
On most Linux distributions, you can use the `service` command to restart the sshd service. First, open a terminal and type the following command:
“`
sudo service ssh restart
“`
This command will stop the sshd service, start it again, and ensure that any configuration changes are applied.
2. Using the Systemctl Command:
If you are using a newer Linux distribution with systemd, you can use the `systemctl` command to restart the sshd service. Open a terminal and type:
“`
sudo systemctl restart ssh
“`
This command will perform the same action as the `service` command but is recommended for newer systems.
3. Using the Init Command:
On older Linux distributions, you might need to use the `init` command to restart the sshd service. Open a terminal and type:
“`
sudo init q
“`
This command will send the sshd service a quit signal, which will stop it, and then start it again.
Restarting sshd Service on macOS
On macOS, the sshd service is managed by launchd, a more advanced and flexible init system. To restart the sshd service, follow these steps:
1. Using the launchctl Command:
Open a terminal and type the following command:
“`
sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ssh.plist
“`
This command will reload the sshd service, effectively restarting it.
2. Using the System Preferences:
If you prefer a graphical interface, open the System Preferences and navigate to Sharing. Uncheck and recheck the Remote Login option to restart the sshd service.
Restarting sshd Service on Windows
On Windows, the sshd service is managed by the Windows Server Manager. To restart the sshd service, follow these steps:
1. Using the Services Management Console:
Open the Services Management Console by typing `services.msc` in the Run dialog box. Locate the SSH Server service, right-click it, and select Restart.
2. Using PowerShell:
If you prefer using PowerShell, open a PowerShell window as an administrator and type the following command:
“`
Restart-Service ssh
“`
This command will restart the sshd service on your Windows server.
In conclusion, restarting the sshd service is a common task for system administrators and developers. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily restart the sshd service on various operating systems, ensuring secure remote access to your servers.
