SSH: can client obtain private key from ssh agent?

[cdmackay]

hi, new NoMachine user here, trying the free Mac client.

I already have SSH set up to my Linux server (which is the NX server too), and I can login via ssh without needing to give a password, or SSH key-phrase, because my ssh private key is stored in the ssh agent.

Can the Mac NoMachine client use the ssh-agent, so that I don’t have to enter my private key pass-phrase every time I want to connect?

Thanks very much.

[kroy]

SSH connections are available only on Enterprise products aimed like Workstation, Terminal Server and so on. The free product, NoMachine, does not support connections by SSH. However it’s possible to set up key based authentication with NX protocol. Please refer: https://www.nomachine.com/AR02L00785.

[cdmackay]

hi, thanks very much indeed.

I’m sorry, I think I managed to make my question not very clear.

The question I was attempting to ask was: is there any way for the NoMachine client to use the ssh-agent daemon already running on the client, so that I don’t have to type my private key pass-phrase every time I connect? That is when using key-based auth with the NX protocol.

[kroy]

NX protocol doesn’t support option to use ssh-agent. SSH protocol does, but connection via SSH to the server where is NoMachine free version installed via SSH is not available.

…so that I don’t have to type my private key pass-phrase every time I connect

You can use option “Save this passphrase in the file connection” or generate key without passphrase to achieve it.

[cdmackay]

OK, thanks anyway, much appreciated.

[Britgirl]

Just to further clarify what is supported and not supported in the free version.

cdmackay asked:

is there any way for the NoMachine client to use the ssh-agent daemon already running on the client, so that I don’t have to type my private key pass-phrase every time I connect? That is when using key-based auth with the NX protocol.

If you are using the free edition of NoMachine, you can use key-based authentication, and you will use NX protocol.

If you want to use an ssh-agent, you must use SSH. SSH connections are only available in the Enterprise products. You might want to consider purchasing Enterprise Desktop instead of using the free version.

[Author]

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