> Hi,
>
> *
>
> When I login to my server using a public key, I still have to enter a username.* However, I don’t see a username specified in the public key file.
>
> I haven’t tried using a random username but how does the username relate to the public/private key authentication?
>
> *
>
> Thanks,
>
> *
>
> Seabro

Please check with the administrator of the server. I don't think they relate to each other but are 2 different authentications.

OK

Hi, I probably didn't explain clearly. Its my server and key authentication is working. I just wanted to better understand how the username fits into the process.

You are correct. The Public-private key scheme doesn't have provision in the key itself (which is what you expect) for a user name. In my view, it would defeat the purpose of a unique randomized key pair.

I don't know your specific setup but it may be that the basic (classic) username authentication is wrapped into a private-public key scheme. (key scheme is the wrapper for the username request). If this were so, the server would first authenticate genuineness of request using the key pair and then validate the username against it's list (/etc/passwd, shadow and so on).

OK