How to configure ssh access by key on F5OS

Hey there!

The reason ssh-copy-id doesn't work is that F5OS doesn't use the traditional ~/.ssh/authorized_keys file path that ssh-copy-id expects. SSH public keys are managed through the F5OS configuration plane instead. Here are your options:

Option 1: F5OS CLI

SSH in with your password first, then enter config mode and add your public key:

syscon-1-active(config)# system aaa authentication users user admin config authorized-keys key my-key

syscon-1-active(config-key-my-key)# key-type ssh-rsa

syscon-1-active(config-key-my-key)# key-data "AAAAB3NzaC1yc2EAAAADAQ..."

syscon-1-active(config-key-my-key)# commit

Replace my-key with any label you want, and paste your full public key string (from ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub) as the key-data value.

Option 2: WebUI

Navigate to: System Settings → User Management → admin → SSH Keys

Add your public key there and save. Straightforward if you prefer GUI.

Verify it worked:

show system aaa authentication users user admin config authorized-keys

One thing to double-check: Make sure SSH access is allowed on the management interface and that you're hitting the correct port (default 22). You can verify under show system mgmt-ip and check system ssh config for any allowed-ips restrictions.

Hope that helps!

Hello integration35​

I noticed there hadn't been an update from what charlestips​  had provided you and was wanting to encourage you to update if that had assisted in resolving your issue. If not please let us know and we can see if you have options for support to assist. 

-Melissa