Enable Debugging Mode in SSH to Troubleshoot Connectivity Issues


Sometimes, You need to connect your system on two different remote servers. In this condition, you can remove and troubleshoot connectivity issues by enabling debugging or verbose mode of these servers using the SSH command.

By enabling the debugging mode in SSH, you can see the detailed information related to the SSH connection. You can also check the exchanged data between client and server.

Using the -v option, you can run SSH in verbose mode. Running SSH in verbose mode prints debugging information about progress for authentication, debugging connections, or any configuration problems encountered. In this guide, we will explain everything about enabling debugging mode in SSH to troubleshoot connectivity problems.

Enabling Debugging Mode in SSH to Troubleshoot Connectivity Issues?

The level of verbosity here is divided into three categories. Using multiple levels of -v with ssh increases the verbosity.

Sr.No

Symbol & Description

1

-v

Give details of what is happening on your end.

2

-vv

Provides low-level information at both ends.

3

-vvv

Informs about everything from both sides.

You can troubleshoot connectivity issues by enabling debugging mode in SSH using the following commands −

ssh -v <user>@<remote_server>

To enable additional verbosity for levels 2 and 3 for more debugging messages, run the following commands in the terminal −

ssh -vv <client>@<server>
ssh -vvv <client>@<server>

Note − In the above commands, please replace "client" with the username of the server and "server" with the server's IP address or hostname.

Two conditions are possible when the above commands are run,

  • Authentication will begin when you connect successfully, and a series of messages appear. After this process, you are given a shell prompt for the remote server.

  • On the contrary, if the connection fails, the browser provides information about the error generated in the output in that condition.

To exit the SSH session when you're finished troubleshooting, type "exit" at the remote server shell prompt as follows −

exit

Conclusion

Enabling debugging mode in SSH offers a great way for diagnosing and troubleshooting connectivity issues. It provides information about network connectivity issues, firewall settings, incorrect login credentials, etc. After discovering these problems, you can troubleshoot network connectivity problems by solving them.

You have to be careful while enabling the debug mode as it generates a lot of verbose output and can expose all your sensitive information. Moreover, please run all the commands carefully, or you may face serious issues.

Updated on: 18-May-2023

2K+ Views

Kickstart Your Career

Get certified by completing the course

Get Started
Advertisements