LPIC-1 Essential System Services and Networking Practice Question
After updating the SSH configuration, a sysadmin restarts the sshd service, but remote connections still use the old settings. Which command should be used to reload the configuration without dropping existing connections?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse 'restart' with 'reload', assuming both apply configuration changes, but only 'reload' preserves active connections by using a signal instead of a full process stop/start cycle.
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
✓
systemctl reload sshd
`systemctl reload sshd` sends a SIGHUP signal to the sshd process, instructing it to re-read its configuration file without terminating existing connections. This is the proper method to apply configuration changes while maintaining uninterrupted service for active sessions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
systemctl restart sshd
Why it's wrong here
Same as A, restarts.
- ✓
systemctl reload sshd
Why this is correct
Reloads config without dropping connections.
- ✗
systemctl refresh sshd
Why it's wrong here
No such systemctl command.
- ✗
systemctl restart sshd
Why it's wrong here
Restarts service and drops existing connections.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-1 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI 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 LPIC-1 exam.