ssh-keygen, ssh not finding key directory (~/.ssh)

[jhs]

ssh-keygen and ssh are not finding the key directory. ssh doesn't pick up the directory even when I point it to ~/.ssh with the -i option:


bash-4.2$ ssh-keygen
Generating public/private rsa key pair.
Enter file in which to save the key (//.ssh/id_rsa):^C
bash-4.2$ ssh quicksilver
Could not create directory '/.ssh'.
The authenticity of host 'quicksilver (192.168.3.3)' can't be established.
RSA key fingerprint is 42:7b:ed:cf:8b:6a:d2:de:2b:16:03:ef:bf:4f:3e:a4.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)? ^C
bash-4.2$ echo $HOME
/dev/fs/C/Users/jhs
bash-4.2$ ssh -i "$HOME"/.ssh/id_rsa quicksilver
Could not create directory '/.ssh'.
The authenticity of host 'quicksilver (192.168.3.3)' can't be established.
RSA key fingerprint is 42:7b:ed:cf:8b:6a:d2:de:2b:16:03:ef:bf:4f:3e:a4.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)? ^C
bash-4.2$

I see the same behavior with ksh.

HOME, LOGNAME, and USERNAME are all set.
HOME is set to /dev/fs/C/Users/jhs

Suggestions?

tx, Jim Snyder

[rodney]

Set the user's home directory in the user database.
ssh uses the information from the user database for what the home directory is.
The HOME environmental variable is not trusted because it can be spoofed.
The output from, for example, the finger command is from the user database ("finger -l").
Refer to FAQ entry 3.08 and 3.09 for setting it.

[adina728]

Nice post...Thanks for the info.