SSH Key Authentication on Linux Servers (Step-by-Step)
Secure your Linux servers with SSH key authentication instead of passwords.
Step 1: Generate SSH Key Pair
Run ssh-keygen -t ed25519 on your local machine or workstation.
Step 1: Generate SSH Key Pair
Step 2: Copy Public Key to Server
Use ssh-copy-id user@server-ip to install your public key on the server.
Step 2: Copy Public Key to Server
Step 3: Test Passwordless Login
Connect with ssh user@server-ip — you should log in without a password prompt.
Step 3: Test Passwordless Login
chmod 700 ~/.ssh && chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
Terminal screenshots are original illustrations created for Gnome IT Solutions (blog.gnomeitsolutions.com).