Using SSH Keys for Secure Access

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Using SSH Keys for Secure Access

Understanding the creation and exchange of SSH keys is a key concept to grasp as a System Administrator. In this lab, we will generate keys on two systems using the ssh-keygen utility and learn how to exchange and verify the keys with a remote system, using `ssh-copy-id` and associated key files on each. At the end of this lab, we will understand how to create secure keys for remote access, how to exchange them, and where to store them on each system involved in the chain.

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Lab Info

Level

Intermediate

Last updated

Aug 31, 2025

Duration

15m

Challenge

Generate a New SSH Key Pair for cloud_user on server1
Using the ssh-keygen command, create a new key pair for the cloud_user user on server1:
```
ssh-keygen
```
Challenge

Copy the SSH Key from server1 to server2
Using the ssh-copy-id command, transfer the public key to the remote user's account:
```
ssh-copy-id cloud_user@server2
```
Challenge

Log into server2 with SSH
If the previous step was done correctly, we should be able to log into server2 without using a password:
```
ssh cloud_user@server2
```
Challenge

Generate a New SSH Key Pair for cloud_user on server2
Using the ssh-keygen command, create a new key pair for cloud_user user on server2:
```
ssh-keygen 
```
Challenge

Copy the SSH Key from server2 to server1 and login to server1
Using the ssh-copy-id command, transfer the public key to the remote user's account and login without a password.
```
ssh-copy-id server1
ssh server1
```

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