How to Generate authorized_keys
In the realm of secure remote access, generating authorized_keys is a crucial step in ensuring that only authorized users can access your system. This process involves creating a public and private key pair, and then copying the public key to the server. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to generate authorized_keys for your SSH access.
Step 1: Generating SSH Key Pair
The first step in generating authorized_keys is to create a SSH key pair on your local machine. This can be done using the ssh-keygen command. Open your terminal and run the following command:
“`
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096
“`
This command will generate a new RSA key pair with a key length of 4096 bits. You will be prompted to enter a file path for the private key. By default, the private key is stored in `~/.ssh/id_rsa`, and the public key in `~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub`.
Step 2: Adding SSH Key to Local Machine’s Known Hosts
Before you can use your SSH key to access a remote server, you need to add the server’s public key to your local machine’s known_hosts file. This file is used to verify the authenticity of the server’s host key. To add the server’s public key, run the following command:
“`
ssh-keyscan -t rsa server_ip_address >> ~/.ssh/known_hosts
“`
Replace `server_ip_address` with the IP address or hostname of the server you want to connect to.
Step 3: Copying Public Key to Remote Server
Now that you have generated your SSH key pair and added the server’s public key to your local machine, you need to copy your public key to the remote server. You can do this by using the ssh-copy-id command:
“`
ssh-copy-id user@server_ip_address
“`
Replace `user` with your username on the remote server, and `server_ip_address` with the server’s IP address or hostname. You will be prompted to enter your password for the remote server.
Step 4: Accessing the Remote Server
With your SSH key pair generated and copied to the remote server, you can now access the server without entering your password. Simply run the following command:
“`
ssh user@server_ip_address
“`
You should now be connected to the remote server using your SSH key.
In conclusion, generating authorized_keys is a straightforward process that involves creating a SSH key pair, adding the server’s public key to your local machine, copying your public key to the remote server, and finally accessing the server using your SSH key. By following these steps, you can enhance the security of your remote access and avoid the inconvenience of entering passwords.
