Enable SSH on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa Linux

The below guide will provide you with information on how to enable ssh on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa Server or Desktop Linux. SSH stands for secure shell which allows encrypted remote login connections between client and server over insecure network.

In this tutorial you will learn:

• How to install SSH daemon
• How to enable SSH daemon to start after reboot
• How to start SSH deamon server
• How to open firewall SSH port 22
• How to allow root login to SSH server

Software Requirements and Conventions Used

Software Requirements and Linux Command Line Conventions

Category	Requirements, Conventions or Software Version Used
System	Installed or upgraded Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa
Software	OpenSSH 8.1 or higher
Other	Privileged access to your Linux system as root or via the sudo command.
Conventions	# - requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command $ - requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user

Enable SSH on Ubuntu 20.04 step by step instructions

1. Install SSH server and client metapackage using the apt command:

   $ sudo apt install ssh
   

2. Enable and start SSH server daemon:

   $ sudo systemctl enable --now ssh
   

3. Check SSH server status:

   $ sudo systemctl status ssh
   

4. Before you make an attempt to login you might need to open SSH firewall port 22 and optionally allow to login to SSH server as root user.