Using ssh Public/Private Keys

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Creating public/private keys

• If you haven't already created a public/private key you can do this like so:

  ssh-keygen -t rsa -f ~/.ssh/id_rsa

  For more options you'll want to man ssh-keygen for details.

• Include it in your authorized keys:

  cat ~/.ssh/*.pub >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys

• Make sure permissions are set properly for it:

  chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys

Using keys for passwordless access

• Start an ssh agent:

  eval `ssh-agent`

• Tell your ssh sessions to talk to this agent (enter passphrase if necessary):
  • Either for a terminal:

    ssh-add

  • Or for an entire X session:

    ssh-add < /dev/null

  Now you should be able to ssh to other courant systems without having to type in your password every time.