We usually log in to a remote SSH server using the PasswordAuthentication method. Username and password combination is the most common authentication method for SSH and other systems, suitable for most people.
Sometimes, you might want or even need to log in to an SSH server without authenticating manually. Passwordless login is convenient, but it's also necessary for system administrators who constantly log in to SSH servers and run automated commands on remote servers.
You can automatically log in to an SSH server without entering your username and password by configuring and using the public-key authentication method.
$ ssh-keygen Generating public/private rsa key pair. Enter file in which to save the key (/home/user/.ssh/id_rsa): Enter passphrase (empty for no passphrase): Enter same passphrase again: Your identification has been saved in /home/user/.ssh/id_rsa. Your public key has been saved in /home/user/.ssh/id_rsa.pub. ##### snipped
Make sure to not set any passphrase for the key pair
Related: How to generate SSH key pairs
$ sudo grep PubkeyAuthentication /etc/ssh/sshd_config [sudo] password for user: PubkeyAuthentication yes
Public key authentication is normally enabled by default.
$ ssh-copy-id user@remote-host /usr/bin/ssh-copy-id: INFO: attempting to log in with the new key(s), to filter out any that are already installed /usr/bin/ssh-copy-id: INFO: 2 key(s) remain to be installed -- if you are prompted now it is to install the new keys user@remote-host's password: Number of key(s) added: 2 Now try logging into the machine, with: "ssh 'user@remote-host'" and check to make sure that only the key(s) you wanted were added.
Related: How to add SSH public key to server
$ ssh user@remote-host Last login: Fri Jun 28 00:12:15 2019 from 192.168.111.135 [user@remote-host ~]$
You will no longer be prompted for a password when logging in to the server.
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