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Aaron Copley
Asked: 2010-11-16 13:53:38 +0800 CST

When are root's SSH keys generated?

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I have hosts with and without keys in /root/.ssh. I've noticed before some on screen feedback for SSH key generation on start up (first time.) But I am not sure what the catalyst is. I have looked in /root/anaconda-ks.cfg and don't see anything different that could lead to this.

What was chosen/enabled for the servers that do versus the ones that do not?

Note: I know I can do it manually -- I am just looking to understand when / how it is inconsistently generated.

redhat kickstart ssh-keys ssh-keygen anaconda

2 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    I think you are confusing it with host keys.

    Host keys are generated on first boot. (Well, or when the ssh server starts the first time).

    The directory /root/.ssh is created when you first use ssh (the client). It stores the known_hosts file here (containing the public keys of hosts your have been connected before).

    One can use ssh-keygen to create public/private keypair (it is name /root/.ssh/id_rsa and /root/.ssh/id_rsa.pub per default).

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  2. Im 100% sure, you are talking about the keys when openssh-server is installed..

    On basically every unix system, this happens on first boot after installation..
    Regardless Im not sure i have ever seen a server without SSH..

    Hope this helps.. :D

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