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client to server by using ssh (windows version)

set up:

  • You (Windows) = SSH Client
  • VM (Linux) = SSH Server

Generate an SSH Key in client

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ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "vm test" -f ~/.ssh/id_ed25519_key
  • -C is a comment (any label, not functionally required)
  • -f specifies the filename to save the key
  • Press Enter twice to skip setting a passphrase (or set one for security)

Add the Public Key to vm server

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cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519_key.pub # in Client
  1. Copy the output
  2. login vm server by password first (ssh -p 1234 woon@1.0.0.X)
  3. vim ~/.ssh/authorized_keys # in server and paste the public key in the last entry

Configure SSH to Use the Right Key

Edit (or create) the C:\Users\woon\.ssh\config file: 

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# in Client
Host X.0.0.X
  User woon
  Port 1234
  HostName X.0.0.X
  IdentityFile C:\Users\woon\.ssh\id_ed25519_key
  IdentitiesOnly yes

Test SSH Connection to server

ssh X.0.0.X (Host X.0.0.X in client .ssh/config) 

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ssh -vvv X.0.0.X # in Client

Expected result (for the first time):

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The authenticity of host '[X.0.0.X]:1234 ([X.0.0.X]:1234)' can't be established.
ED25519 key fingerprint is SHA256:abcd/efg.
This host key is known by the following other names/addresses:
    C:\Users\woon/.ssh/known_hosts:1: [X.0.0.1]:1234
    C:\Users\woon/.ssh/known_hosts:2: [X.0.0.4]:1234
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])? yes
Warning: Permanently added '[X.0.0.X]:1234' (ED25519) to the list of known hosts.
Connection reset by X.0.0.X port 1234
  • SHA256:abcd/efg. the SSH host fingerprint shown when you connect to a server is derived from the public host key files
    • To see the fingerprint for the ED25519 key 
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      # Each Linux system running an SSH server has its own set of host keys stored in /etc/ssh
/etc/ssh$ ssh-keygen -lf /etc/ssh/ssh_host_ed25519_key.pub # in Server
  • 'This host key is known by the following other names/addresses' : Cloned VMs Will Share Fingerprints
  • a new fingerprint will be saved to your known_hosts in the windows client machine. C:\Users\woon\.ssh>more known_hosts # in Client