How to access Ansible remote machine using SSH user and key?

How to access Ansible remote machine using SSH user and key?

There are following ways, you can autheticte linux remote server using Ansible.

Method 1 – Password Less authentication
https://www.tecmint.com/ssh-passwordless-login-using-ssh-keygen-in-5-easy-steps/

If You want to automate this process using Ansible in mutiple machine, follow this
https://everythingshouldbevirtual.com/ansible-ssh-key-distribution-for-password-less-ssh/

Method 2 – SSH key file using command line

[code]ansible-playbook -i hosts playbook.yml –key-file=remote-access.pem -u ec2-user –become[/code]

Method 3 – SSH key file in the inventory file:

[code]myHost1 ansible_ssh_private_key_file=remote-access.pem ansible_user=ec2-user
myHost2 ansible_ssh_private_key_file=remote-access.pem ansible_user=ec2-user[/code]

Method 4 – SSH key file in the host_vars:

[code]# hosts_vars/myHost1.yml
ansible_ssh_private_key_file: ~/.ssh/mykey1.pem
ansible_user=ec2-user
# hosts_vars/myHost2.yml
ansible_ssh_private_key_file: ~/.ssh/mykey2.pem
ansible_user=ec2-user[/code]

Method 5 – SSH key file in the group_vars:

[code]# hosts_vars/myHost1.yml
ansible_ssh_private_key_file: ~/.ssh/mykey1.pem
ansible_user=ec2-user
# hosts_vars/myHost2.yml
ansible_ssh_private_key_file: ~/.ssh/mykey2.pem
ansible_user=ec2-user[/code]

Method 6 – SSH key file in the vars section of your play:

[code]- hosts: myHost
remote_user: ubuntu
vars_files:
– vars.yml
vars:
ansible_ssh_private_key_file: “{{ key1 }}”
tasks:
– name: Echo a hello message
command: echo hello[/code]

Method 7 – SSH key file in the ansible.cfg:

[code][defaults]
inventory: <YOUR INVENTORY>
remote_user = <YOUR USER>
private_key_file = <PATH TO KEY_FILE>[/code]

Rajesh Kumar

I’m Rajesh Kumar, a DevOps, SRE, DevSecOps, Cloud, and Platform Engineering expert passionate about sharing practical knowledge, real-world experiences, and industry best practices. I have worked at Cotocus and regularly write about technology, travel, investing, health, product reviews, and digital marketing through my various platforms.

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