Using a private key with SSH in terminal

UNIX macOS
1

Before you get the wrong idea, I am not looking for how to generate one. I have a key from a server admin but I can't figure out how to use it in OS X.

I have the key, the address and everything I should need but there doesn't seem to be a step by step on how to install the key and use it in terminal.

There was a tutorial on how to add it to Keychain and a few other examples but they were generally centered around using it with that companies server or Amazon and I just can't figure it out.

So, if anyone would PLEASE help me a step by step tutorial, I would be very grateful!

I have to SSH and SCP files to the sever who's site I am working on. I can use terminal well enough but am not against a UI program if that makes more sense.

Thanks!

---------- Post updated at 01:54 PM ---------- Previous update was at 01:45 PM ----------

Additional info: the key is an RSA key

2

create the key, if u already have no need..

$ ssh-keygen -t rsa

copy the public key to remote servers

ssh-copy-id -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub username@remote

This will prompt you for the login password for the host, then copy the keyfile for you, creating the correct directory and fixing the permissions as necessary.

3

I have the key file sent to me from the server admin and it is in the .ssh folder but when I try to ssh to the server address, it tells me access is denied (public key).

Based on your info above, can I assume that having the file in the .ssh folder should be all I need to do on this end? There's no installation needed?

4

which key are you having ?? the public key or the private key?? if you have been give the public key, then you need to copy that public key (id_rsa.pub) thats in your .ssh directory to the remote server. to copy the key to the remote server use the command

ssh-copy-id -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub username@remote

it will ask for the remote server;s password once and then it will copy the id_rsa.pub file content to the remote server's and also assign neccessary permissions. if the above command doesnt work, then you can manually copy the key using

ssh username@host 'cat >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys' < ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

for more information read this
Password-less logins with OpenSSH

---------- Post updated at 12:08 AM ---------- Previous update was at 12:05 AM ----------

hey i used it in unix/Linux system. i dont know how to do it in OS X.. sorry i just read you have specified OS X

1 Like
5

No, I think you may have answered it for me! I didn't realize what you were saying was that it had to be copied to the server. I incorrectly thought that what I was getting just had to be input on my side and it would identify me to the server. Didn't realize I had to upload my key to the server.

Makes complete sense coupled with what you just told me. I have both files and did not know what I was doing with them. lol

Thanks for the link, it's making it very clear now. :smiley:

---------- Post updated at 03:22 PM ---------- Previous update was at 03:20 PM ----------

BTW, Little, OS X is a UNIX system with a pretty cover is all. I was using the terminal application to do all this so the principles are the same. I think OS X uses BASH.