How to Set Up an SSH Server on Fedora Linux for Secure Remote Access

In today’s digital world, secure remote access is a necessity. SSH (Secure Shell) is a powerful tool that allows you to securely connect to a remote Linux server or machine. If you're working with Fedora Linux, setting up an SSH server is a straightforward process. This guide will walk you through the steps to install, configure, and start an SSH server on Fedora Linux.

Why is SSH Important?

SSH is essential for ensuring secure remote access to your Linux system. It uses encryption to secure the data being transferred, protecting your system from unauthorized access and potential security breaches. Whether you’re managing a web server, development environment, or any other critical infrastructure, SSH ensures that your data and operations are secure.

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing and Configuring SSH on Fedora Linux

Fedora Linux comes with OpenSSH pre-installed, which includes the SSH server, client, and utilities. However, if you need to install it explicitly, you can do so with the following command:

1. Install the SSH Server

Open Terminal and run the following command:

sudo dnf install openssh-server

This will install the OpenSSH server package on your Fedora system.

2. Start the SSH Server

To verify that the SSH server is installed and running, you can use the systemctl command:

systemctl status sshd

If the SSH service is not running, you can start it using:

sudo systemctl start sshd

3. Enable SSH to Start on Boot

To ensure that the SSH server starts automatically on boot, use the following command:

sudo systemctl enable sshd

4. Configure the SSH Server

Editing the SSH configuration file (/etc/ssh/sshd_config) allows you to customize the behavior of your SSH server. Here are some important settings:

Port: Change the default port (22) to a non-standard port to enhance security. PermitRootLogin: Set this to no to prevent root logins, requiring users to log in with a regular user account. PermitEmptyPasswords: Set this to no to enhance security levels by disallowing login with empty passwords. PasswordAuthentication: Set this to no if you prefer to use public key authentication only.

After making changes, save the file and test the configuration with:

sudo sshd -t

If there are no errors, restart the SSH service:

sudo systemctl restart sshd

Testing the SSH Server

Once the SSH server is up and running, you can test the connection from another machine with the following command:

ssh [username]@[ip_address]

Ensure that your firewall settings allow SSH traffic (port 22 by default or your specified non-standard port).

Conclusion

Setting up an SSH server on Fedora Linux is a critical step in providing a secure and efficient way to manage your Linux server. Whether you're handling a development environment, a web server, or any other critical infrastructure, SSH ensures that your data and operations are secure. Follow the steps outlined in this guide to install, configure, and test your SSH server. For more detailed information, refer to the chapter on Services and Daemons in the Fedora documentation.

Further Reading

For more detailed information on Services and Daemons in Fedora Linux, refer to the official documentation here.