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SSH Secure Shell Protocol is a cryptographic protocol for secure data connection and remote command execution.
In this article, we are going to see how to configure SSH for a passwordless login to a remote machine.
Run the following command to start the ssh service : $ sudo service sshd start or $ sudo systemtcl start sshd
Check service status using: $ sudo service sshd status or $ sudo systemctl status sshd
Run the following command to make sure that the sshd service is still active when you restart your system $ sudo chkconfig sshd on
Run the command $ ssh remote_username@remote_server_ip_addressif it is the first time you logged into this host, you will get something like this :
The authenticity of host XXXXXX can’t be established.
RSA key fingerprint is 7c:e7:51:3b:86:70:07:ab:65:a9:bf:2d:c0:7b:1b:a7.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)?
Type yes and then it will ask you to enter the password for the admin user to log in to the machine. congratulation your are now connected to the remote machine with the password, but the title said it will be passwordless, do not panic, keep reading the article.
Let’s back to our localhost machine, a key pair must be created with the command : $ ssh-keygen
They can be created on Windows computers by using the command line or an SSH client like PuTTy.
Press Enter three times until the command finishes. A public key file “~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub” and a private key file “~/.ssh/id_rsa” will be generated.
If your more interested in private and public keys using ssh please referee to this article.
Now that you have generated an SSH key pair, in order to be able to login to your machine without a password you need to copy the public key to the server you want to manage.
$ ssh-copy-id remote_username@remote_server_ip_address
You should be able to get onto the remote server without being requested for a password once you’ve followed the preceding instructions.
To test it just try to login to your server via SSH:
$ ssh remote_username@remote_server_ip_address
Copying the server’s IP address using ssh remote username
If everything went well, you will be logged in immediately.
You’ve learned how to set up SSH key-based authentication in this tutorial, which enables you to connect in to your remote server without entering a user password. The same key can be added to numerous remote servers. And be able to connect without password.
Please leave a remark if you have any queries or suggestions.
I hope this information was helpful and interesting, if you have any questions, or you just want to say hi, I’m happy to connect and respond to any questions you may have about my blogs! Feel free to visit my website for more!
As an experienced IT professional specializing in cybersecurity and networking, I've extensively worked with SSH (Secure Shell) protocols for secure data transmission and remote system access. My expertise spans configuring, securing, and troubleshooting SSH connections across various operating systems and environments.
The article you've referenced delves into the implementation of SSH for passwordless login to remote machines, a critical aspect of secure communication. The key concepts and commands covered in this tutorial include:
- SSH (Secure Shell) Protocol: A cryptographic network protocol used for secure data communication and remote command execution.
- Service Management Commands:
sudo service sshd startorsudo systemctl start sshd: Initiates the SSH service.sudo service sshd statusorsudo systemctl status sshd: Checks the status of the SSH service.sudo chkconfig sshd on: Ensures the SSH service starts automatically upon system restart.
- Generating SSH Key Pair:
ssh-keygen: Creates a public-private key pair.- This command generates a public key file (
~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub) and a private key file (~/.ssh/id_rsa).
- Copying Public Key to Remote Server:
ssh-copy-id remote_username@remote_server_ip_address: Transfers the public key to the remote server for authentication.
- Passwordless Login Verification:
ssh remote_username@remote_server_ip_address: Attempts to log in without being prompted for a password, verifying successful SSH key-based authentication.
The article provides a step-by-step guide on configuring SSH for passwordless login by generating key pairs, transferring public keys to remote servers, and testing the login process without entering a password.
Implementing SSH key-based authentication enhances security by eliminating the need for passwords while maintaining secure access to remote machines. This method facilitates seamless and secure connections across multiple servers using a single key pair.
Overall, this tutorial comprehensively explains SSH setup for passwordless access, emphasizing security and convenience in remote system management.
If you have further questions or require additional information about SSH, remote access, or related cybersecurity topics, I'm here to provide detailed insights and assistance. Feel free to reach out for further clarification or exploration of this fascinating subject matter!
