Installing OpenSSH on CentOS 7

OpenSSH is a secure networking utility that provides encryption for remote administration of servers and systems. It is widely used for secure remote logins and for executing commands on remote machines. In this guide, we will walk through the process of installing OpenSSH on a CentOS 7 server.

Step 1: Update the System

Before installing any new software, it is recommended to update the system to the latest packages.

  $ sudo yum update  

Step 2: Install OpenSSH

To install OpenSSH, use the following command:

  $ sudo yum install openssh-server  

Step 3: Start OpenSSH Service

Once the installation is complete, start the OpenSSH service using the following command:

  $ sudo systemctl start sshd  

Step 4: Enable OpenSSH Service

To ensure that OpenSSH starts automatically at boot, enable the service using the following command:

  $ sudo systemctl enable sshd  

Step 5: Configure Firewall

If you are using a firewall, you need to allow incoming SSH connections. The default SSH port is 22. Use the following command to enable SSH:

  $ sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=ssh $ sudo firewall-cmd --reload  

Step 6: Test OpenSSH

You can now test if OpenSSH is working by connecting to the server using an SSH client:

  $ ssh username@server_ip_address  

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and configured OpenSSH on your CentOS 7 server. You can now securely manage your server remotely using SSH.