Linux Networking Cookbook

7.6. Managing Multiple Identity Keys

Problem

You want to use different identity keys for different servers. How do you create keys with different names?

Solution

Use the -f flag of the ssh-keygen command to give keys unique names:

	[carla@windbag:~/.ssh]$ ssh-keygen -t rsa -f id_mailserver

Then, use the -i flag to select the key you want to use when you log in to the remote host:

	$ ssh -i id_mailserver bart@192.168.1.11
	Enter passphrase for key 'id_mailserver':

Discussion

You don't have to name your keys "id_" whatever, you can call them anything you want.

See Also

• man 1 ssh-copy-id

• man 1 ssh

• man 1 ssh-keygen

• man 8 sshd