Setting up SSH access between servers using key pairs is a secure and efficient way to manage remote connections. This guide will walk you through generating SSH keys on your local machine and then using them to enable passwordless login to the destination server using ssh-copy-id.
Table of Contents
Let’s Get Started
Step 1: Generate SSH Key Pair on Your Local Machine
On your local machine, open a terminal and use ssh-keygen to generate a new SSH key pair. This command will prompt you for a location to save the key and an optional passphrase for added security.
ssh-keygen -t rsaStep 2: Copy the Public Key to the Destination Server
Copy the public key to the destination server using ssh-copy-id. Replace <your_username> and <destination_server> with your actual username and the IP address of the destination server.
ssh-copy-id <your_username>@<destination_server>Step 3: Test SSH Access
Try SSHing into the destination server from your local machine. If successful, it should log in without prompting for a password.
ssh <your_username>@<destination_server>Step 4: Disable Password Authentication (Optional)
For added security, consider disabling password authentication on the destination server. To do this, edit the SSH server configuration file:
sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_configThen change PasswordAuthentication yes to PasswordAuthentication no. Finally, save and restart the SSH service:
sudo service ssh restartWrapping Up
Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up SSH access between your local machine and the destination server using SSH key pairs. SSH Key pairs enhance security and provide a more convenient and efficient way to manage your remote connections. Happy coding!
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Reading this guide from Ubuntu about SSH.
