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Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2012 22:07:18 -0500
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Subject: Openssh stops working after a few days (problem solved)
From: Mike Richardson <javaguy940 AT gmail DOT com>
To: cygwin AT cygwin DOT com
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I was about to post this as a question on here, but I was able to
solve my problem. I post it here in case anyone else comes along and
has the same problem.

I'm running Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise.  I installed the latest
Cygwin/openssh package from scratch and everything runs fine for a few
days.
Then all of a sudden, I can't make any more connections to the ssh
server.  My first step is to restart the service in Windows, but I
receieve the following error:
"The CYGWIN sshd service on Local computer started and then stopped.
Some services stop automatically if they are not in use by other
services or programs."

I then examined the file /var/log/sshd.log and saw the following error message:
"Privilege separation user sshd does not exist"

I then examine the sshd account on Windows (which does exist). The
"Account is diabled" box was checked. I uncheck it, as well as check
the "Password never expires" checkbox which was before unchecked.
After I click ok, I get the following error message:
"The following error occured while attempting to save properties for
user sshd: The password does not meet the password policy
requirements.  Check the minimum password length, password complexity,
and password history requirements".

Next, I assign the windows account sshd a sufficiently complex
password using the windows gui.
Then I still get the same error "Privilege separation user sshd does not exist"

So I run the following commands:

mkpasswd -l > /etc/passwd
mkgroup -l > /etc/group

I then restart the windows service, and now everything works fine.
What I assume what happened is that the sshd account in windows
somehow became disabled.

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