Virtual Private Server User Guide
The Telnet and SSH Services
Configuring SSHd
The SSHd server application can be custom configured through the sshd_config
file located in the /etc/ssh directory. Because this file can only be edited by the
superuser, custom configuration of SSHd is only available on the VPS Root.
Note: Basic technical assistance on the use of SSH clients and your
SSH server is provided as long as the configuration files in /etc/ssh
have not been modified. Root enabled customers are welcome to
modify these, but will not receive technical assistance in doing so.
Customers who have modified their SSH configuration files assume
the responsibility for all SSH related issues.
Customization of the SSHd configuration file is beyond the scope of this guide.
For additional information on SSHd and its configuration file, consult the sshd man
page. Note that any changes made to the sshd configuration file require that you
restart SSHd.
Restarting SSHd
After any change to the SSHd configuration file, it is necessary to restart SSHd by
sending it a hangup (HUP) signal. To do so, use the kill command when logged in
as the superuser, as shown below (Note the use of backticks ( ) rather than
single quotes. The backtick can usually be found on the same keyboard location
as the ~ ):
> kill HUP cat /var/run/sshd.pid
This will cause SSHd to re read its configuration file and restart.
Alternatively, you can use FATSI to restart the SSHd process.
Using the Provided SSH Client Application
Your server also provides an SSH client application which you can use to connect
to remote servers that provide SSH access. To connect to a remote server
through SSH in this way, enter the following command, where username is the
username you wish to log in as and servername is the fully qualified hostname of
the server you want to connect to:
> ssh username@servername
For additional information on the ssh command, type man ssh at your command
prompt.
Technical Training Department
August 2004
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