Top SSH commands to manage your server with explanation

In this guide, we'll explore essential SSH commands, providing clear explanations and practical examples. Whether you're managing remote servers or securely transferring files, these commands are fundamental for efficient server administration. Perfect for beginners and those looking to enhance their skills, this guide covers everything you need to streamline your workflow using SSH.

10 commonly used SSH commands for file management

The ls command in Linux is used to list the contents of a directory. By default, it displays the names of files and directories in the current working directory. You can use options like -l for detailed information (permissions, size, modification date) or -a to show hidden files.

Or use it alone to list the content of the current directory:

The cd command in Linux is used to change the current working directory. You can navigate to a specific directory by providing its path (e.g., cd /path/to/directory), or use cd .. to move up one level in the directory hierarchy. Typing cd alone takes you to your home directory.

The cp command in Linux is used to copy files or directories. To copy a file, use cp source destination (e.g., cp file.txt /path/to/destination). You can add options like -r to copy directories recursively and -i to prompt for confirmation before overwriting files.

mv: The mv command in Linux is used to move or rename files and directories. To move a file, use mv source destination (e.g., mv file.txt /new/path/). You can also rename a file by specifying a new name in the destination.

rm: The rm command is used to remove (delete) files or directories. To remove a file, use rm filename. Use rm -r directory to delete a directory and its contents recursively. Be careful, as rm permanently deletes files.

mkdir: The mkdir command creates new directories. To create a directory, use mkdir directory_name. You can use -p to create parent directories if they don’t already exist (e.g., mkdir -p /path/to/directory).

chown: The chown command changes the ownership of files or directories. To change the owner, use chown user:group filename. For example, chown john:admin file.txt makes "john" the owner and assigns the "admin" group.

sftp: The sftp command provides secure file transfer over SSH. You can connect to a remote server using sftp user@hostname. Once connected, you can upload, download, or manage files just like in a local file system.

scp: The scp command securely copies files between hosts using SSH. To copy a file to a remote server, use scp file.txt user@host:/path/to/destination. It supports file transfers between local and remote systems

10 commonly used SSH commands for network troubleshooting

ping: The ping command tests network connectivity between your computer and a target host. For example, ping example.com sends ICMP echo requests to the host and displays the response time, helping to diagnose network issues.

traceroute: The traceroute command tracks the path packets take to reach a network host. For example, traceroute example.com shows each hop (intermediate router) along the route and their response times.

netstat: The netstat command provides network statistics and information about network connections, routing tables, and interface statistics. Use netstat -a to list all connections and listening ports, or netstat -r to view the routing table.

ifconfig: The ifconfig command displays or configures network interface parameters. To view the status of all interfaces, use ifconfig. To configure an interface, you can specify options like ifconfig eth0 up to activate it.

nslookup: The nslookup command queries DNS to obtain domain name or IP address information. For example, nslookup example.com retrieves the IP address associated with the domain. It can also be used to diagnose DNS issues.

dig: The dig command performs DNS queries and provides detailed information about DNS records. For example, dig example.com retrieves DNS records for the domain, including A records, MX records, and more.

telnet: The telnet command establishes a text-based connection to a remote server, typically for troubleshooting or accessing remote services. For example, telnet example.com 80 connects to port 80 on the specified host.

mtr: The mtr command combines the functionality of traceroute and ping to diagnose network connectivity issues. It continuously displays the route and packet loss statistics for each hop to a target host (e.g., mtr example.com).

ss: The ss command provides detailed information about network sockets. It can display open connections, listening ports, and socket statistics. For example, ss -tuln shows TCP and UDP listening sockets with numeric addresses.

iptables: The iptables command configures the Linux kernel's packet filtering rules. You can use it to set up firewall rules, manage network traffic, and define security policies

10 commonly used SSH commands for user management

adduser: The adduser command adds a new user to the system with a user-friendly interface. It sets up the user's home directory, creates a user account, and prompts for additional details (e.g., adduser username).

useradd: The useradd command creates a new user account with more options for customization. For example, useradd -m -s /bin/bash username creates a user with a home directory and a specified shell. It requires additional configuration for some user details.

usermod: The usermod command modifies existing user accounts. You can change user details like the home directory, shell, or group memberships (e.g., usermod -aG groupname username to add a user to a group).

deluser: The deluser command removes a user from the system. By default, it deletes the user but retains their home directory. For example, deluser username removes the user account.

userdel: The userdel command deletes a user account and, optionally, their home directory and files. For example, userdel -r username removes the user and their home directory.

passwd: The passwd command changes a user’s password. To set or update a password for a user, use passwd username. If used without a username, it changes the password for the current user.

chsh: The chsh command changes a user's default login shell. For example, chsh -s /bin/zsh sets the default shell to Zsh. Users can only change their own shell unless run by a superuser.

chage: The chage command changes user password expiration information. For example, chage -M 30 username sets the maximum password age to 30 days. It helps manage password aging and expiration policies.

id: The id command displays the user ID (UID) and group ID (GID) for the current or specified user. For example, id username shows the UID, GID, and group memberships of the user.

groups: The groups command lists the groups to which a user belongs. For example, groups username shows the group memberships for the specified user. If used without a username, it shows the groups for the current user.

we've explored essential SSH commands for managing files, troubleshooting networks, and handling user accounts on remote systems. Mastering these commands not only streamlines administrative tasks but also enhances your ability to maintain and troubleshoot servers efficiently. Whether you're transferring files securely, diagnosing network issues, or managing user permissions, these commands form the backbone of effective remote system management. By integrating these practices into your workflow, you'll improve your proficiency and ensure a smoother, more controlled server environment.