Simplify SSH connections with .ssh/config

Are you typing something like this when you log in to a server via SSH from your PC?

$ ssh hoge@server_name -p 22 -i ~/.ssh/key_name

By using a .ssh/config file, you can SSH with much less typing, like this:

$ ssh srv

Now, let’s get it configured!

Steps

Edit your .ssh/config file.

$ vi ~/.ssh/config

Configure the following settings:

Host srv                        # SSH alias / SSH host nickname
  User hoge                     # Login username
  HostName server_name          # Server hostname
  Port 22                       # Port number to use
  IdentityFile ~/.ssh/key_name  # Specify the private key (not required for password authentication).

Now, all you have to do is SSH.

$ ssh srv

It’s that simple!

Once you set it up, you can SSH with much less typing. I highly recommend everyone give it a try!