LPIC-1 Essential System Services and Networking Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. # systemctl status sshd ● sshd.service - OpenSSH server daemon Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/sshd.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled) Active: failed (Result: start-limit-hit) since Mon 2023-09-18 10:30:45 UTC; 2min ago Process: 1297 ExecStart=/usr/sbin/sshd -D $SSHD_OPTS (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS) Main PID: 1297 (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS) Status: "Failed to start SSH daemon: Address already in use"
Based on the exhibit, what is the most likely cause of the SSH service failure?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers assume SSH failures are always due to firewall rules or disabled services, but the specific error message 'address already in use' directly points to a port conflict, not a firewall or configuration syntax issue.
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
✓
Another service is already listening on port 22.
The exhibit shows that the sshd service failed to start because the address (0.0.0.0:22) is already in use. This indicates that another process is already bound to port 22, preventing sshd from binding to it. Therefore, the most likely cause is that another service is already listening on port 22.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The sshd service is disabled.
Why it's wrong here
It is enabled.
- ✗
The firewall is blocking port 22.
Why it's wrong here
No firewall reference in the exhibit.
- ✓
Another service is already listening on port 22.
Why this is correct
Address already in use error.
- ✗
The SSH configuration file has a syntax error.
Why it's wrong here
The process exited successfully, so syntax is fine.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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