VM SSH Connection Guide

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to set up and configure an SSH connection to a virtual machine(VM) securely.

On the Local Machine

1. Install and Start OpenSSH Server

Run the following commands to install and start the SSH server:

sudo apt install openssh-server
sudo systemctl start ssh

2. Get the Local IP Address

Retrieve your local IP address using one of the following commands:

ip a or hostname -I

3. Generate an SSH Key Pair

Create a new SSH key pair with the following command:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -f ~/.ssh/<filename> -C "<comment>"

Replace filename with your desired key file name.

Replace comment with a descriptive comment.

4. Copy the Public Key to the Server

Transfer the public key to the server:

ssh-copy-id -i ~/.ssh/filename.pub user@ip

Replace user with the server username.

Replace ip with the server’s IP address.

5. Test the SSH Connection

ssh user@ip

If successful, you will authenticate using the key.

6. Configure the SSH Client (Optional)

To simplify future connections, configure your SSH client:

nano ~/.ssh/config

Add the following lines to the file:

Host <name>
    HostName <server_ip>
    IdentityFile ~/.ssh/<filename>
    User <server_user>

Replace name with an alias for the connection.

Replace server_ip with the server’s IP address.

Replace filename with the private key file name.

Replace server_user with the server’s username.

You can now connect using the alias:

ssh <name>

On the VM or Server

1. Update SSH Configuration for Security

Edit the SSH server configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Modify the following settings:

PasswordAuthentication no
PermitRootLogin no

PasswordAuthentication no: Disables password-based login.

PermitRootLogin no: Prevents root user login via SSH.

2. Reload the SSH Service

Apply the changes by reloading the SSH service:

sudo systemctl reload ssh

Your SSH setup is now complete. Ensure that the private key is stored securely and avoid sharing it.

🪴 Splendorg

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