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why can't I connect to my ssh server UNLESS I enter eval "$(ssh-agent -s)" first?
(lemmy.dbzer0.com)
I have my own ssh server (on raspberry pi 5, Ubuntu Server 23) but when I try to connect from my PC using key authentication (having password disabled), I get a blank screen. A blinking cursor.
However, once I enter the command eval "$(ssh-agent -s)" and try ssh again, I successfully login after entering my passphrase. I don't want to issue this command every time. Is that possible?
This does not occur when I have password enabled on the ssh server. Also, ideally, I want to enter my passphrase EVERYTIME I connect to my server, so ideally I don't want it to be stored in cache or something. I want the passphrase to be a lil' password so that other people can't accidentally connect to my server when they use my PC.
The whole point of ssh-agent is to remember your passphrase. If you don't want to do that your problem might be that for some reason ssh client doesn't pick up your key. Try defining it for the host
Also, there's -v flag for ssh. Use it to debug what's going on when it doesn't try to use your key
Not OP but everytime I used the verbose output of ssh it didn't help me one bit. Even adding outrageous verbosity I was still quite confused on what step failed and which didn't.
I'm probably just bad at understanding SSH but i don't know it seems like ssh workflow includes many trial and error until it finds a way to connect.
Imo the verbose output of SSH is often not very helpful if you don't know very well ssh in the first place. Obviously it is still worth a shot and a good advice but don't expect ssh to clearly state what is going on :)
Well, you have configuration and flag options to define what is it supposed to be trying to use. What order, I think too. But definitely understanding SSH a little bit will make the log more understandable. As with everything tbh :D
This likely isn't helpful but it isn't meant to be a shitpost. However, I will point out this literature:
SSH, The Secure Shell: The Definitive Guide, 2nd Edition
https://github.com/manish-old/ebooks-2/blob/master/O'Reilly%20-%20SSH%20The%20Secure%20Shell%20The%20Definitive%20Guide-2.pdf
Other commenters clearly know more than me about tbs ssh, so I'll otherwise remain silent.