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For Linux VMs, VCM will automatically enable public-key based ssh authentication for your NetID if we can locate your SSH public key. We do this so that you can avoid using the less secure password-based authentication in favor of key based ssh.
When your VM is is being built, VCM checks the Duke directory entry for your NetID. If VCM finds a public key, the key is added to the file
~/.ssh/authorized_keys
for your NetID account on any newly created VMs.
To setup and enable ssh public key authentication, you should update your Duke directory entry. Assuming you already have ssh keys, you can update your “SSH Public keys” under “Advanced User Options” at:
https://idms-web-selfservice.oit.duke.edu/advanced
If you have not already set up ssh keys, here is how to generate a key pair on a Macintosh or Linux machine:
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096
The public key generated will be stored in the file
~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
More details for Macintosh users:
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-generate-ssh-keys-on-macos-mojave/
For Windows users:
https://phoenixnap.com/kb/generate-ssh-key-windows-10