SSH Key Workflow: Using SSH Keys with FileZilla, Windows CMD instead of PuTTY

SSH Key Workflow: Using SSH Keys with FileZilla, Windows CMD instead of PuTTY

In this article, we will discuss how to use SSH keys for authentication when connecting to a Raspberry Pi running Raspbian Bullseye/Bookworm using FileZilla and Windows CMD, as an alternative to PuTTY.

What are SSH keys?

SSH keys are a pair of cryptographic keys used for authentication when connecting to a remote server over SSH. They consist of a private key, which is kept secret, and a public key, which is shared with the remote server. When a connection is established, the remote server verifies the client's identity using the public key, which corresponds to the private key held by the client.

Why use SSH keys?

SSH keys provide a more secure alternative to password-based authentication, as they are resistant to brute-force attacks and can be easily revoked if compromised. Additionally, using SSH keys can simplify the process of connecting to a remote server, as they eliminate the need to enter a password each time a connection is established.

Generating SSH keys

To generate a new SSH key pair, open a terminal and run the following command:

This will prompt you to enter a file in which to save the key. You can press enter to accept the default location, or specify a different location if desired. You will then be prompted to enter a passphrase for the key. This is optional, but recommended as an additional layer of security.

Copying the public key to the remote server

Once the SSH key pair has been generated, the public key must be copied to the remote server. This can be done using the ssh-copy-id command:

Replace [user] with your username on the remote server and [server] with the server's IP address or hostname.

Connecting to the remote server using FileZilla

To connect to the remote server using FileZilla, follow these steps:

1. Open FileZilla and click on the "Site Manager" button in the toolbar.
2. Click on the "New Site" button and enter a name for the site.
3. In the "Host" field, enter the IP address or hostname of the remote server.
4. In the "Username" field, enter your username on the remote server.
5. In the "Password" field, enter the passphrase for your SSH key, if you set one.
6. In the "Port" field, enter 22.
7. In the "Protocol" dropdown, select "SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol".
8. Click on the "Connect" button to connect to the remote server.

Connecting to the remote server using Windows CMD

To connect to the remote server using Windows CMD, follow these steps:

1. Open a command prompt and navigate to the location of your SSH key.
2. Run the following command:

Replace [user] with your username on the remote server, [server] with the server's IP address or hostname, and [keyfile] with the path to your SSH private key.

Using SSH keys for authentication when connecting to a remote server provides a more secure alternative to password-based authentication. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can use SSH keys with FileZilla and Windows CMD to connect to a Raspberry Pi running Raspbian Bullseye/Bookworm.

References

• Raspberry Pi Documentation: SSH

• DigitalOcean: How To Set Up SSH Keys

• FileZilla

-- generated by AI at WriteSteps