LFCS Service Configuration Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. Output of `journalctl -u sshd.service --no-pager -p err`: Jul 15 09:23:45 server sshd[1234]: Failed to start OpenSSH server daemon Jul 15 09:23:45 server sshd[1234]: sshd.service: main process exited, code=exited, status=255/n/a Jul 15 09:23:45 server sshd[1234]: Unit sshd.service entered failed state.
What can be concluded from the log?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse a service that fails to start due to a configuration error with a service that is running but has errors, leading them to select option B instead of D.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SSH server failed to start due to configuration error
The log shows that the SSH service failed to start because of a configuration error. Specifically, the log entry indicates a syntax error or invalid directive in the SSH daemon configuration file (typically /etc/ssh/sshd_config), which prevents the service from binding to the port and starting. This is a common issue when editing the configuration file manually, as the SSH daemon validates its configuration at startup and will refuse to run if any errors are found.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
SSH server is masked
Why it's wrong here
Masked would show 'masked' status, not in log.
- ✗
SSH server is running with errors
Why it's wrong here
Log says failed state, not running.
- ✗
SSH server stopped normally
Why it's wrong here
Exit code 255 and failed state indicate abnormal exit.
- ✓
SSH server failed to start due to configuration error
Why this is correct
Exit status 255 typically indicates a configuration problem.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.