Set up passwordless SSH for Cluster Validation Suite (CVS) cluster nodes

2026-09-24

2 min read time

Applies to Linux

CVS requires SSH key-based access from the head node to every cluster worker. Passwordless login must work for the user named in cluster.json (username and priv_key_file).

Follow these steps to configure passwordless SSH between the head node and each worker node.

Tip

Perform these steps in reverse order (child node first, then head node) if you require passwordless login from a head node to a child node.

1. On the head node, display your public key:

   cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
   

2. On each worker node, add that key to authorized_keys:

   echo "paste-your-public-key-here" >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
   chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
   

3. Verify login from the head node:

   ssh username@remote_host_ip
   

4. If the username is the same on both nodes, you can use the IP only:

   ssh remote_host_ip
   

You can use any SSH key type, not only RSA. Point priv_key_file in Cluster Validation Suite (CVS) cluster file: configuration and backend selection at the matching private key.

See also Configure the Cluster Validation Suite (CVS) cluster file (cluster.json) for generating and editing cluster.json.