Secure Shell
Can ssh add keys to ssh-agent? Mar 18 2009 12:26PM
rozelak volny cz (1 replies)
Hallo, I would like to ask a simple question. Please take my apologies
it it has already been addressed, but I didn't find answer for it.

I have key-based access to a ssh server (running openssh) and ssh-agent
running. When I add the key to agent (ssh-add ...), everything works
as expected without problems. I have also set 'IdentityFile = path_to_key'
to that key in ~/.ssh/config. Now, when I use ssh and the key IS NOT
added to ssh-agent, ssh asks for the password to the key and uses it
for authentication. Still no problem. Also when I use e.g. subversion
(using svn+ssh protocol) from command line, it (or the ssh) asks for
the password to the key and again, uses the key for the authentication
to the server.

However, when I use sh or subversion again, it asks for the password
to the key again; everytime I use it. It looks like:

$ ssh-add -L
The agent has no identities.

$ svn up
Enter passphrase for key 'path_to_key_from_IdentityFile':
....
....

$ ssh-add -L
The agent has no identities.

$ svn log
Enter passphrase for key 'path_to_key_from_IdentityFile':
....
....

$ ssh svnserver
Enter passphrase for key 'path_to_key_from_IdentityFile':
....
^D

$ ssh-add -L
The agent has no identities.

Well, it is correct, and you may argue that I should add the key to the
running agent, using ssh-add; you are right. Nevertheless, it becomes
annoying when I use a GUI client to svn - it asks for the password again
and again (using X-password dialog), until I switch to console and call
ssh-add. Also when I forget to call ssh-add before I connect by ssh,
it asks repeatedly for the password with each new connection (I ususally
open more than one ssh connection). It is not crucial problem, but I
hope you agree that it is annoying.

So, the question is: is there a possibility to configure ssh to automatically
add the key to running ssh-agent, when the ssh recognises that key is
required and checks that the password is OK (which ssh already does)?
To behave it like:

$ ssh-add -L
The agent has no identities.

$ svn up
Enter passphrase for key 'path_to_key_from_IdentityFile':
....
....

$ ssh-add -L
ssh-dss xxxxxxxxxxxx ..... xxxxxxxxxxxx path_to_key_from_IdentityFile

$ svn log
....
....

$ ssh svnserver
....
^D

It would allow to use the key once it is needed, and even GUI-based apps
could set it without the need to switch to console.

Tank you very much for your answer. Best regards,
Dan

[ reply ]
Re: Can ssh add keys to ssh-agent? Mar 20 2009 03:12PM
Jeff MacDonald (jam zoidtechnologies com) (1 replies)
Re: Can ssh add keys to ssh-agent? Mar 23 2009 09:36AM
rozelak volny cz (1 replies)
Re: Can ssh add keys to ssh-agent? Mar 23 2009 05:47PM
Hari Sekhon (hpsekhon googlemail com) (1 replies)
Re: Can ssh add keys to ssh-agent? Mar 24 2009 01:04PM
Greg Wooledge (wooledg eeg ccf org) (1 replies)
Re: Can ssh add keys to ssh-agent? Mar 24 2009 03:05PM
Hari Sekhon (hpsekhon googlemail com)


 

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