After upgrading your Fedora operating system to version 35, you may encounter an issue where the SSH daemon (SSHD) fails to start. This can prevent remote access to your server or desktop environment, which is a significant concern for many users. Below, we will outline the problem, provide the original code for reference, and offer solutions to resolve this issue effectively.
Original Problem Scenario
Users who recently upgraded to Fedora 35 reported the following error message when attempting to start the SSH service:
sudo systemctl start sshd
The command may return an error indicating that the service failed to start, often accompanied by messages such as:
Job for sshd.service failed because the control process exited with error code. See "systemctl status sshd.service" and "journalctl -xe" for details.
Analyzing the Issue
The upgrade process to Fedora 35 may alter system configurations, dependencies, or even package versions that can lead to SSHD not starting correctly. Several common reasons for this issue include:
- Configuration File Issues: Changes in the SSH configuration file, typically located at
/etc/ssh/sshd_config, might introduce errors. - Package Dependencies: The upgrade may have caused conflicts between installed packages or removed necessary dependencies for SSHD.
- Firewall Rules: It's possible that firewall settings have changed or become more restrictive post-upgrade.
Steps to Resolve the Issue
Step 1: Check the SSHD Status
To begin troubleshooting, check the status of the SSH daemon:
sudo systemctl status sshd.service
This command provides detailed information about the service and any error messages associated with its failure to start.
Step 2: Examine the Journal Logs
Use the following command to review the journal logs, which can give you more insight into why SSHD is failing:
journalctl -xe
Look for entries related to sshd or any related components that might hint at the underlying issue.
Step 3: Validate SSH Configuration
It’s important to ensure that the SSH configuration file is valid. You can test the configuration using:
sudo sshd -t
If there are any errors, you will receive messages indicating what's wrong. Edit the configuration file as necessary to resolve issues:
sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
Step 4: Restart the SSHD Service
After making any necessary changes, try restarting the SSH service again:
sudo systemctl restart sshd
Step 5: Check Firewall Settings
Make sure that your firewall settings are allowing SSH connections. You can check the status of the firewall with:
sudo firewall-cmd --list-all
If SSH is not allowed, you can add it using:
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=ssh
sudo firewall-cmd --reload
Conclusion
Upgrading to Fedora 35 can sometimes lead to issues with the SSH daemon not starting due to configuration errors, package conflicts, or firewall settings. By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve these issues effectively.
Additional Resources
Remember, keeping your system updated and regularly checking configurations can help prevent issues from arising after future upgrades. If problems persist, seeking help from the Fedora community forums or similar support channels may yield additional insights.
