Have you ever struggled with managing countless passwords for Linux servers? Or dealt with the security risks of credential reuse and weak passwords?
There is a better way!
Exchanging SSH keys can help you:
- Access servers password-free
- Reduce attack surface from compromised credentials
- Enable automation through simplified login processes
If you manage more than one Linux machine, properly understanding and implementing SSH key-based authentication is a must-have skill.
This comprehensive guide to SSH key exchange will level up your sysadmin abilities for good.
Let‘s get started!
FAQs: How Do SSH Keys Work?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty key exchange steps, let‘s briefly overview how SSH key pairs function:
Q: What gets generated in SSH key pairs?
A: You create a public and private key. The private key stays on client machines. The public key gets copied to servers.
Q: So what allows passwordless logins to servers?
A: The private key acts as an alternative "password" while public key grants access permissions.
Q: Is this really more secure than just passwords?
A: Absolutely! Keys only unlock their paired servers rather than the access of passwords. And cryptography prevents brute force.
Now that you get the idea, let‘s walk through the hands-on process…
Step 1 – Install & Enable OpenSSH
First things first, SSH software must be available and active:
$ sudo apt install openssh-server
$ sudo systemctl enable ssh
$ sudo systemctl start sshThis turns on underlying SSH functionality.
Step 2 – Generate SSH Keypair on Client
Fire up the ssh-keygen tool on client machines to produce keys:
$ ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096Hit enter until file generation completes. This makes two files:
- id_rsa: private key
- id_rsa.pub: public key
🔒 Remember to keep the private key secret!
[Contents truncated for example…]Now you have the power to stop worrying about SSH server passwords for good!
For even more encryption and hardening techniques, please explore our advanced guide.
