Set up SSH Key Pairs Using DSA

  1. Run the ssh command that sets up the key pair:
    % ssh-keygen -t dsa
  2. At the following prompt, press Enter to accept the default key location, or type another: 
    Generating public/private dsa key pair.
Enter file in which to save the key (~/.ssh/id_dsa):
  3. Press return at the password prompt: 
    Enter passphrase (empty for no passphrase):
  4. Press Return again to confirm the password: 
    Enter same passphrase again:

    You should see the following information:

    Your identification has been saved in ~/.ssh/id_dsa
Your public key has been saved in ~/.ssh/id_dsa.pub
The key fingerprint is: <Some really long string>

    If SSH continues to prompt you for your password, verify your permissions in your remote .ssh directory. It should have only your own read/write/access permission (octal 700):

    % chmod 700 ~/.ssh
  5. Open the local ~/.ssh/id_dsa.pub file and paste its contents into the ~/.ssh/authorized_keys file on the remote host.
  6. Update the permissions on the authorized_keys file on the remote host as follows:
    % chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys