How to edit authorized_keys?

Question

What is the best method for editing the /root/.ssh/authorized_keys file?

I mean if I need to append a new key to my authorized_keys file, than what are the best methods to do that?

score 15 · Answer 1 · edited Dec 17 '11 at 15:21

15

Try just to edit the file and paste key on the end.
You want automated? Try from server where you want to add key to do:

ssh-copy-id -i id_rsa.pub login@hostname

You can always try ssh-add on the server where you have an authorized_keys file stored.

Plenty of opportunities :D

edited Dec 17 '11 at 15:21

Mat

52,586

answered Dec 17 '11 at 15:07

Sebastian Szary

350

8

Also cat keyfile >>authorized_keys – enzotib Dec 17 '11 at 15:12
What should go as hostname ? – User Nov 03 '15 at 00:19

Charles Stewart · Answer 2 · 2011-12-18T14:17:22.053

0

Each line is an independent entry. You can grep them to filter, sed -i~ /pattern/d authorized_keys to delete lines, say all those from some server, or cat new-entries >> authorized_keys to add lines to the end.

edited Dec 18 '11 at 14:17

answered Dec 18 '11 at 14:12

Charles Stewart

512

there is two problem with "cat new-entries >> authk. – LanceBaynes Dec 18 '11 at 15:34
1
people could mistype ">>" to ">" so the file is gone..

LanceBaynes

Dec 18 '11 at 15:35

1

if there isn't any newline char in the authorized_keys file, then cat/echo will append the new public key to the end of the last line... :\

– LanceBaynes Dec 18 '11 at 15:35

How to edit authorized_keys?

2 Answers2