setting a password less ssh connection

[Mikkel L. Ellertson]

hicham wrote:
> Hello
> I'm having trouble to set a passwordless ssh connection between many pcs ,
> I've found lot on the web about exchanging public keys but i still
> cannot make it password less
> 
> thanks
> 
> hicham
> 
Are you trying to log in as root, or as a user using key pairs? I
would have to double check, but I don't think the default sshd
configuration allows root logins. I have "PermitRootLogin no" in my
config file. It needs to be "PermitRootLogin without-password"
instead. (without-password prevents root from logging in using a
password, but will allow it using a key pair.)

PermitRootLogin
   Specifies whether root can log in using ssh(1).  The argument
   must be ``yes'', ``without-password'', ``forced-commands-only''
   or ``no''.  The default is ``yes''.

   If this option is set to ``without-password'' password authenti-
   cation is disabled for root.

   If this option is set to ``forced-commands-only'' root login with
   public key authentication will be allowed, but only if the
   command option has been specified (which may be useful for taking
   remote backups even if root login is normally not allowed).  All
   other authentication methods are disabled for root.

   If this option is set to ``no'' root is not allowed to log in.

Mikkel
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