03-configure-passwordless-ssh.md

Configure Passwordless SSH

How to connect to Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ without password

Prerequisite(s):

• Enable SSH on your Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+
• Understand how to connect to your Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ using SSH

Note: We are using word USER-NAME in following commands please change it with your operating system's user name

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1 - Check for existing SSH keys

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On Linux & Mac OS

$ ls ~/.ssh

On Windows OS

C:\Users\USER-NAME\.ssh> dir

Note: If you see files named id_rsa.pub or id_dsa.pub you have keys set up already, so you can skip the generating keys step (or delete these files with rm id* or del id* and make new keys).

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2(a) - Use existing SSH Key (recommended if SSH key exist)

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To use existing pub key open id_rsa.pub or id_dsa.pub in editor and copy its contents.

On Linux & Mac OS

$ nano ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

On Windows OS

C:\> Notepad "C:\Users\USER-NAME\.ssh\id_rsa.pub"

Ctrl + A -> Ctrl + C

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2(b) - Generate New SSH Key

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On Linux & Mac OS

$ ssh-keygen

Note: Upon entering this command, you'll be asked where to save the key. We suggest you save it in the default location /home/USER-NAME/.ssh/id_rsa by just hitting Enter.

On Windows OS

C:\> ssh-keygen

Note: Upon entering this command, you'll be asked where to save the key. We suggest you save it in the default location C:\Users\USER-NAME\.ssh\id_rsa by just hitting Enter.

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3 - Copy your public key to your Raspberry Pi

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On Linux & Mac OS

$ cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub | ssh [email protected] 'mkdir -p ~/.ssh && cat >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys'

Connect to Raspberry Pi using SSH without password

$ ssh [email protected]

On Windows OS

C:\> Notepad "C:\Users\USER-NAME\.ssh\id_rsa.pub"

Select All and Copy: Ctrl + A -> Ctrl + C

C:\> ssh [email protected]
[email protected]'s password:

pi@raspberry:~ $ mkdir .ssh
pi@raspberry:~ $ cd .ssh/
pi@raspberry:~ $ echo [PASTE-KEY-CONTENTS-HERE] >> authorized_keys
pi@raspberry:~ $ exit

Close Terminal and Open Again to connect to Raspberry Pi using SSH without password

C:\> ssh [email protected]