How to add a different username in ssh config for remote server ssh to save our time ?

Suppose you used to login via a different username on servers rather than the local user id.

One option is to add the username each time using below syntax:

# ssh server-name -l username
OR,
# ssh username@server-name

OR,

An easy way to save our little time is to add this username in our config file.

Today in this post, we will look how to add this username and similar options in the config file.

Lets see how to do this.

I. Adding Username in Configuration File

$ id -a
uid=saket(saket) gid=20(staff) groups=20(staff),1025(imac_users_group),12(everyone),62(netaccounts),702(com.ngelinux.sharepoint.group.2),701(com.ngelinux.sharepoint.group.1)
$

$ cat .ssh/config
User webuser
$

$ ssh server2
********************************************************************************
!!!WARNING!!!
********************************************************************************
This system is a restricted access system. All activity on this system is
subject to monitoring. Information collected that is malicious, unauthorized or
unlawful, may be provided to the relevant authorities for further action. By
continuing past this point, you expressly consent to this monitoring.
********************************************************************************
Last login: Tue Apr 16 18:05:10 2019 from 17.168.84.100
********************************************************************************
Hostname: nwk-gcsrshp-lapp01.corp.ngelinux.com
Hypervisor: XENU ghert23.ngelinux.com
Location | Env: India | PROD
Kernel | OS | Snapshot: 2.6.32-754.10.1.el6 | OL 6.10 | 6-2019.3.1
Info on snapshots: https://web.ngelinux.com/docs/DOC-1371850
Cores | Mem: 8 | 11.7 GB
Applications: web, max
********************************************************************************

********************************************************************************
-bash: warning: setlocale: LC_CTYPE: cannot change locale (UTF-8): No such file or directory
-bash-4.1$ id
uid=webuser(webuser) gid=10000(aplstaff) groups=10000(aplstaff)
-bash-4.1$

II. Sample Config File with Global & Individual Server Options

$ cat .ssh/config 
## Global Options
Host *
     ForwardAgent no
     ForwardX11 no
     ForwardX11Trusted yes
     User webuser
     Port 22
     Protocol 2
     ServerAliveInterval 60
     ServerAliveCountMax 30
 
## override options as per host
Host server2
     HostName server1.ngelinux.com
     User testuser
     Port 4200
     IdentityFile /nfs/shared/users/ngelinux/keys/server1/id_rsa

In the above options, we can see the option “User” is used to mention the username.

Similarly we have a lot of options which can be seen in the same file above where we can modify the port number, and can mention individual options for different servers.

Hence, now you can mention any different username for all/specific servers to save your little bit time.

Tags: .ssh/configaddcentosconfigdifferentfilelinuxoptionsportrhelsavetimeunixuseruseridusername