Quick Answer
The answer is `systemctl status sshd` and `systemctl is-active sshd`. These two commands are correct because `systemctl status sshd` provides a comprehensive view of the service, including its active state, PID, recent logs, and cgroup details, making it the standard tool for checking service health on systemd-based systems. Meanwhile, `systemctl is-active sshd` directly queries systemd to report whether the service is currently running, returning a simple exit code and text output like 'active' or 'inactive'. On the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator LFCS exam, this tests your understanding of systemd’s service management utilities, often appearing in performance troubleshooting or service verification scenarios. A common trap is confusing `systemctl is-enabled` (which checks if a service starts at boot) with `is-active` (which checks current runtime status). To remember the difference, think: "status shows the story, is-active gives the verdict."
This LFCS practice question tests your understanding of service configuration. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO commands can be used to check the status of the sshd service on a system using systemd?
systemctl list-units --type=service
Why wrong: Lists all services, not specific to sshd.
systemctl is-active sshd
Returns active/inactive/failed status.
systemctl is-enabled sshd
Why wrong: Checks if enabled at boot, not current status.
systemctl cat sshd
Why wrong: Displays unit file content, not status.
systemctl status sshd
Shows detailed status including active state.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
systemctl is-active sshd
Option B is correct because `systemctl is-active sshd` directly queries systemd to report whether the sshd service is currently in an active (running) state, returning a simple exit code and text output (e.g., 'active' or 'inactive'). Option E is correct because `systemctl status sshd` provides a comprehensive view of the service's current state, including whether it is active, its PID, recent log entries, and cgroup details, making it a standard command for checking service health on systemd-based systems.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
systemctl list-units --type=service
Why it's wrong here
Lists all services, not specific to sshd.
systemctl is-active sshd
Why this is correct
Returns active/inactive/failed status.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
systemctl is-enabled sshd
Why it's wrong here
Checks if enabled at boot, not current status.
systemctl cat sshd
Why it's wrong here
Displays unit file content, not status.
systemctl status sshd
Why this is correct
Shows detailed status including active state.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse `is-enabled` (boot-time configuration) with `is-active` (current runtime state), or they assume `list-units` is a valid status check when it actually requires additional filtering to isolate a specific service.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, `systemctl is-active` queries the systemd D-Bus interface to check the `ActiveState` property of the unit (e.g., 'active', 'inactive', 'activating', 'deactivating', 'failed'), while `systemctl status` also reads the `SubState` and recent journal entries from the systemd journal. A subtle behavior is that `systemctl is-active` returns exit code 0 only if the service is active (running), making it ideal for scripting, whereas `systemctl status` may show 'active (running)' even if the service is in a degraded state like 'active (exited)' for oneshot services.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the LFCS exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Service Configuration — This question tests Service Configuration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: systemctl is-active sshd — Option B is correct because `systemctl is-active sshd` directly queries systemd to report whether the sshd service is currently in an active (running) state, returning a simple exit code and text output (e.g., 'active' or 'inactive'). Option E is correct because `systemctl status sshd` provides a comprehensive view of the service's current state, including whether it is active, its PID, recent log entries, and cgroup details, making it a standard command for checking service health on systemd-based systems.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This LFCS practice question is part of Courseiva's free Linux Foundation certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LFCS exam.
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