[SOLVED] ssh login with key

KatrinAlec · 09-12-2018, 04:52 AM

Hello,
I've copied my root key to a server with ssh-copy-id

When I'm already logged into my local system as root, I can access the other server without password.
# ssh x.x.x.x
works fine

But when I'm a normal user and use
$ ssh root@x.x.x.x
I need to login with password.

How come?

michaelk · 09-12-2018, 05:09 AM

There are two keys by default id_rsa and id_rsa.pub. The public key i.e. id_rsa.pub is copied to the server. If you didn't copy the private key i.e id_rsa to your normal user's ~/.ssh directory or if it does not have the correct permissions you will be unable to login with keys.

While it is possible to share keys you can always create a second pair for your normal user. It is also not recommended to login to root using ssh.