LPIC-1 systemctl Practice Question
An administrator needs to restart the SSH service after a configuration change. Which TWO commands can accomplish this on a systemd-based system?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates may incorrectly assume that only `systemctl` works on systemd, but the `service` command is also valid as a compatibility wrapper. Conversely, commands like `initctl` (Upstart) or `/etc/init.d/` script (SysV) are not correct for systemd.
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 restart sshd
On a systemd-based system, the `systemctl restart sshd` command is the native method to restart the SSH service. The `service sshd restart` command also works because it is a compatibility wrapper that delegates to systemctl on systemd systems. Both commands will successfully restart the sshd service, making options C and D correct. Commands like `initctl`, `rc.d`, and direct init scripts are associated with other init systems and are not appropriate for systemd.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
initctl restart sshd
Why it's wrong here
initctl is used with Upstart, not systemd.
- ✗
rc.d restart sshd
Why it's wrong here
rc.d is used on BSD systems, not typically on Linux.
- ✓
systemctl restart sshd
Why this is correct
The correct systemd command to restart a service.
- ✓
service sshd restart
Why this is correct
The 'service' command works as a wrapper for systemd on many distributions.
- ✗
/etc/init.d/sshd restart
Why it's wrong here
This is a SysV init script; may not be available on all systemd systems.
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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.