If you frequently open connections to remote systems, you can run your session under "ssh-agent". The agent will provide decrypted authentication keys to all your ssh commands when new connections are created, thus eliminating the need to continually enter your passphrase.
When you start ssh-agent, you need to provide it with a command to spawn. This is usually either a shell or a command to start a windowing environment. When you exit the command, all your keys will be removed from memory.
[WOMBATNET:/home/wombat]
$ ssh-agent $SHELL
[WOMBATNET:/home/wombat]
$
You now need to add your keys to memory by running ssh-add to make them available for subsequent ssh commands.
NOTE: "ssh-agent" should not be run on systems with questionable security, as it is possible, if the system is compromised, to read passphrases out of memory.
If you have questions about this document, please contact SCD Customer Support. You can also reach us by telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 303-497-1278. Additional contact methods: consult1@ucar.edu and during business hours in NCAR Mesa Lab Suite 39.