Generates key on source machine === ssh-keygen -t rsa -C root@source_hostname.domain.org Copies key to target machine === ssh-copy-id root@target_hostname.domain.org SSH into target machine === ssh root@target_hostname.domain.org Copies keys to other servers in cluster === ssh-copy-id root@target2_hostname.domain.org ssh-copy-id root@target3_hostname.domain.org ssh-copy-id root@target4_hostname.domain.org Troubleshooting === chmod 777 /root/.ssh - may fix password prompts after copying key to target server DO NOT chmod g-w /root/.ssh - Jenkins builds will get "Permission Denied" errors and fail