Hallo, I would like to ask a simple question. Please take my apologies it it has already been addressed, but I didn't find answer for it. I have key-based access to a ssh server (running openssh) and ssh-agent running. When I add the key to agent (ssh-add ...), everything works as expected without problems. I have also set 'IdentityFile = path_to_key' to that key in ~/.ssh/config. Now, when I use ssh and the key IS NOT added to ssh-agent, ssh asks for the password to the key and uses it for authentication. Still no problem. Also when I use e.g. subversion (using svn+ssh protocol) from command line, it (or the ssh) asks for the password to the key and again, uses the key for the authentication to the server. However, when I use sh or subversion again, it asks for the password to the key again; everytime I use it. It looks like: $ ssh-add -L The agent has no identities. $ svn up Enter passphrase for key 'path_to_key_from_IdentityFile': .... .... $ ssh-add -L The agent has no identities. $ svn log Enter passphrase for key 'path_to_key_from_IdentityFile': .... .... $ ssh svnserver Enter passphrase for key 'path_to_key_from_IdentityFile': .... ^D $ ssh-add -L The agent has no identities. Well, it is correct, and you may argue that I should add the key to the running agent, using ssh-add; you are right. Nevertheless, it becomes annoying when I use a GUI client to svn - it asks for the password again and again (using X-password dialog), until I switch to console and call ssh-add. Also when I forget to call ssh-add before I connect by ssh, it asks repeatedly for the password with each new connection (I ususally open more than one ssh connection). It is not crucial problem, but I hope you agree that it is annoying. So, the question is: is there a possibility to configure ssh to automatically add the key to running ssh-agent, when the ssh recognises that key is required and checks that the password is OK (which ssh already does)? To behave it like: $ ssh-add -L The agent has no identities. $ svn up Enter passphrase for key 'path_to_key_from_IdentityFile': .... .... $ ssh-add -L ssh-dss xxxxxxxxxxxx ..... xxxxxxxxxxxx path_to_key_from_IdentityFile $ svn log .... .... $ ssh svnserver .... ^D It would allow to use the key once it is needed, and even GUI-based apps could set it without the need to switch to console. Tank you very much for your answer. Best regards, Dan
