> # Passwordless File copy and SSH

> Secure Shell (SSH) public key authentication can be used to achieve password-free logins. SCP and SFTP uses SSH in the background, which enables these copy protocols to be used for a password-free copy with public key authentication. The NX-OS version only supports the SCP and STFP client functionality.

> You can create an RSA and DSA identity that can be used for authentication with SSH. The identity consists of two parts: public and private keys. The public and the private keys are generated by the switch or can be generated externally and imported to the switch. For import purposes, the keys should be in OPENSSH format.

> To use the key on a host machine hosting an SSH server, you must transfer the public key file to the machine and add the contents of it to the authorized_keys file in your SSH directory (for example, $HOME/.ssh) on the server. For the import and export of private keys, the key is protected by encryption. You are asked to enter the passphrase for the keys. If you enter a passphrase, the private key is protected by encryption. If you leave the password field blank, the key will not be encrypted.

> If you need to copy the keys to another switch, you will have to export the keys out of the switch to a host machine, and then import the keys to other switches from that machine.

> The key files are persistent across reload.

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