While creating one of the following data collectors, you need to provide an SSH host key fingerprint:
A host key fingerprint is also known as RSA key, host key, and key fingerprint.
Every SSH server is configured to use a host key to verify that the client is connecting to the correct host. The SSH server administrator provides the host key fingerprint to the various clients. The clients are expected to manually verify the host key while connecting to the server using any SSH client.
Example of a typical host key fingerprint
97:3c:ae:76:73:f3:ef:a7:18:02:6a:c6:57:43:82:f6
Finding the host key fingerprint
The following tables lists various ways to find to the host key fingerprint that you will need to provide as an input when you are creating a data collector:
| Option | Description |
|---|
| 1 | Get the fingerprint from the SSH server administrator. This is the most reliable way to get the correct host key fingerprint. |
| 2 | As an SSH server administrator, use the following steps to find the host key fingerprint on a Linux computer: Find the SSH server configuration file available at /etc/ssh/sshd_config. Find the SSH protocol used. You can do this by looking for theprotocol property in the SSH server configuration. # Disable legacy (protocol version 1) support in the server for new# installations. In future the default will change to require explicit# activation of protocol 1Protocol 2 Find the HostKey property configured in the SSH server configuration file based on the protocol configured in the preceding step. # HostKey for protocol version 1#HostKey /etc/ssh/ssh_host_key# HostKeys for protocol version 2#HostKey /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key Use the following command: ssh-keygen -l -f <HostKeyFileName> The <HostKeyFileName> must be passed as an argument. Select the RSA key file. If the HostKey property is missing, the property value defaults to /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key. Example of the command output [root@clm-pun-004502 ssh]# ssh-keygen -l -f /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key2048 97:3c:ae:76:73:f3:ef:a7:18:02:6a:c6:57:43:82:f6 /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key.pub (RSA) From the preceding output, you need to copy the following portion as the host key fingerprint:
97:3c:ae:76:73:f3:ef:a7:18:02:6a:c6:57:43:82:f6
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| 3 | Use the following steps to procure the host key fingerprint: Navigate to the known_hosts location, as follows: Linux: ~/.ssh/known_hosts Windows (Putty): When you try to connect to the SSH server using an SSH client such as Putty, select Event Log from the system menu. From the list of event log entries displayed, go to the line that starts with ssh-rsa and copy the fingerprint portion.
Ensure that the target host entry is removed from the known_hosts location. Copy the host key fingerprint displayed to use as an input while creating the data collector. Note The fingerprint is not displayed if the host is already in the known_hosts file of the client.
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FAQs
In openssh (the ssh used on most Linux systems) this fingerprint is stored in $HOME/. ssh/known_hosts . The fingerprint is a short version of the server's public key; it is easier for you to verify than the full key. It is very hard to spoof another public key with the same fingerprint.
How do I find my SSH key fingerprint? ›
To verify your fingerprint, log in to your VPS server through a trusted method (for example, the console in your BitLaunch control panel) and run the ssh-keygen command to get a readout of your key fingerprint: ED25519: SHA256: ssh-keygen -lf /etc/ssh/ssh_host_ed25519_key. pub.
What is an SSH host key? ›
Definitions: A public key used for authenticating a host in the SSH protocol to hosts that want to communicate with it (each host also generally has its own private host key). Some hosts may have more than one host key (e.g., one for each algorithm).
What is the format of SSH public key fingerprint? ›
MD5 and SHA256 are supported as formats for the fingerprints. Currently SHA256 is being used more and more, but MD5 fingerprints can still be found in some cases. For this reason, the fingerprints should be determined in both formats. In most cases, multiple keys are generated for an SSH server.
How do I automatically accept SSH key fingerprint? ›
You can use StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new for that (see unix.stackexchange.com/a/33273/70524). But depending on how you're provisioning the systems, you could also just set the SSH host keys yourself.
What is the SSH host key IP address? ›
An SSH host key is the cryptographic key that uniquely identifies every server running SSH. This key is associated with the server's IP address by your local SSH client and is checked every time you log into the server. If the key or IP change you are warned by SSH.
How do I find my SSH key? ›
Checking for existing SSH keys
- Open TerminalTerminalGit Bash.
- Enter ls -al ~/.ssh to see if existing SSH keys are present. ...
- Check the directory listing to see if you already have a public SSH key. ...
- Either generate a new SSH key or upload an existing key.
How to view and customize your host key
- Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
- In the navigation panel, click Profile.
- Scroll down to the Meeting section.
- Select the eye icon next to your Host Key to view your current 6-digit pin.
- Click Edit.
- Input the new host key desired and click Save.
To use the fingerprint quality check feature, you will need to have a fingerprint scanner and the software that performs the quality check. The user will need to place their finger on the scanner, and the software will then analyze the fingerprint image and generate a quality score.
How to login with SSH host key? ›
Once your SSH key pair is generated, you need to place the public key on the server.
- Use the command `ssh-copy-id user@your_server_ip` to copy the public key. Replace `user` with your username and `your_server_ip` with your server's IP address.
- Enter your password when prompted.
SSH keys are a pair of public and private keys that are used to authenticate and establish an encrypted communication channel between a client and a remote machine over the internet.
How do I connect to a host using SSH? ›
Connecting to your Dedicated Server via Terminal
- Open the terminal on your computer.
- Type ssh, followed by a space. ...
- If you see a message stating “Are you sure you want to continue connecting” type yes, then click the Enter key.
- You will then be prompted to enter your password.
SSH host key fingerprints are cryptographic hashes of the public keys used by SSH servers to identify themselves. These fingerprints are used to verify the identity of the server to ensure that the client is connecting to the intended server, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks.
How to generate a new SSH key? ›
Generate an SSH Key Pair
- Run the ssh-keygen command. You can use the -t option to specify the type of key to create. ...
- The command prompts you to enter the path to the file in which you want to save the key. ...
- The command prompts you to enter a passphrase. ...
- When prompted, enter the passphrase again to confirm it.
Definition. A fingerprint template is a set of stored fingerprint features extracted from the fingerprint of a user. It is stored during the enrollment process to represent the actual owner of the fingerprint.
Where do I get SSH host key fingerprint to authorize the server? ›
If you already have verified the host key for your GUI session, go to a Server and Protocol Information Dialog and see a Server Host key Fingerprint box. You can have WinSCP generate the script or code for you, including the -hostkey switch or SessionOptions. SshHostKeyFingerprint property.
What is the fingerprint of the SSH ed25519 key? ›
The fingerprint for the ED25519 key sent by the remote host is SHA256:5OrjMYiYdmoRTDgjsmBfOXun/4FpiClOU6L21gBDPSk. Please contact your system administrator. Add correct host key in C:\\Users\\roeslermichal/. ssh/known_hosts to get rid of this message.
What is the identity key in SSH? ›
An identity key is a private key that is used in SSH for granting access to servers. They are a kind of SSH key, used for public key authentication. In OpenSSH, new identity keys can be created using the ssh-keygen tool. The tool generates both a private key and a public key.
What is the fingerprint of the SFTP public key? ›
The fingerprint is a hash of the FTP server's public key, which MAPS stores in order to verify that it is connecting to the correct SFTP server. The option to Always trust server prevents MAPS from verifying that the stored fingerprint matches the fingerprint from the server when using key authentication.
