TestOut Linux Pro Practice Test

The command used to connect to a remote server via SSH is expressed as ssh [username]@[hostname]. This syntax highlights the primary function of the `ssh` command, which stands for Secure Shell, utilized for securely accessing remote machines over a potentially unsecured network.

When using this command, the `[username]` represents the user account on the remote server that you want to log into, and `[hostname]` can refer to either the domain name or IP address of that server. The combination of these elements provides both authentication and the necessary information for the SSH client to establish a secure, encrypted connection to the remote server.

SSH is the preferred method for remote login because it encrypts the session, making it secure against eavesdropping and various types of attacks that can happen in an unsecured environment. In contrast, other options like telnet do not provide this level of security because they transmit data, including passwords, in plain text. Similarly, commands like ftp are used for file transfers and do not deal with opening a shell or command-line interface on the remote server, while scp specifically refers to secure file copying over SSH, not establishing a shell session.

Understanding this distinction is key for effective remote management and configuration of server systems.