SSH file questions

hottdogg · 03-20-2006, 11:20 AM

I want to know about ssh authorized_keys file

1.Is the content of authorized_keys only allow 1 key?
If it allows more than 1 key, how to copy the 2nd, 3rd and so forth of keys?
How to only add new key while still keep the current key intact?

"cp id_rsa.pub authorized_keys" will replace the current content. Editing by hand isn't recommended.

So, any solution?

2. I made the authorized_keys file by myself by copying id_rsa.pub to it(created new automatically, I guess). Is that OK? or authorized_keys should be created by the system after configuring something related to ssh (e.g. ssh-keygen, login ssh for the first time,etc.)

marozsas · 03-20-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

1.Is the content of authorized_keys only allow 1 key?

No. Several. One per line.

Quote:

If it allows more than 1 key, how to copy the 2nd, 3rd and so forth of keys?
How to only add new key while still keep the current key intact?

echo or cat redirecting the output with >> operator.

Code:

$ echo "ssh-dss AAAAB3NzaC1kc3...." >> .ssh/authorized_keys
or
cat >> .ssh/authorized_keys
<paste the key now>
CTRL-D to finish

Quote:

2. I made the authorized_keys file by myself by copying id_rsa.pub to it(created new automatically, I guess). Is that OK?

Yes, this is fine and is the method I use myself.