Menu Close
Chapter 27. Managing remote systems in the web console
Connect to the remote systems and manage them in the RHEL 9 web console.
The following chapter describes:
- The optimal topology of connected systems.
- How to add and remove remote systems.
- When, why, and how to use SSH keys for remote system authentication.
Prerequisites
- Opened the SSH service on remote systems.
27.1. Remote system manager in the web console
Using the RHEL 9 web console to manage remote systems in the network requires considering the topology of connected servers.
For optimal security, Red Hat recommends the following connection setup:
- Use one system with the web console as a bastion host. The bastion host is a system with opened HTTPS port.
- All other systems communicate through SSH.
With the web interface running on the bastion host, you can reach all other systems through the SSH protocol using port 22 in the default configuration.
27.2. Adding remote hosts to the web console
This section helps you to connect other systems with a user name and password.
Prerequisites
- You need to be logged into the web console with administration privileges. For details, see Logging in to the web console.
Procedure
In the RHEL 9 web console, click on your
username@hostname
in the top left corner of the Overview page.In the drop down menu, click the Add new host button.
- In the Add new host dialog box, specify the host you want to add.
(Optional) Add the user name for the account to which you want to connect.
You can use any user account of the remote system. However, if you use credentials of a user account without administration privileges, you will not be able to perform administration tasks.
If you use the same credentials as for your local system, the web console will authenticate remote systems automatically every time you log in. However, using the same credentials on more machines could be a potential security risk.
- (Optional) Click the Color field to change the color of the system.
Click Add.
The new host will appear in the list of hosts in the
username@hostname
drop down menu.
The web console does not save passwords used to log in to remote systems which means that you have to log in again after each system restart. Next time you log in, click the Log in button placed on the main screen of the disconnected remote system to open the login dialog.
27.3. Removing remote hosts from the web console
This section guides you on removing other systems from the web console.
Prerequisites
Remote systems added.
For details, see Adding remote hosts to the web console.
You must be logged into the web console with administrator privileges.
For details, see Logging in to the web console.
Procedure
- Log in to the RHEL {ProdductNumber} web console.
Click on your
username@hostname
in the top left corner of the Overview page.Click the Edit Server icon.
To remove a host from web console, click the red minus sign button next to its host name. Note that you cannot remove a host you are currently connected to.
As a result, the server is removed from your web console.
27.4. Enabling ssh login for a new host
When you add a new host you can also log into it with an ssh key. If you already have an ssh key on your system, the web console will use the existing one; otherwise, the web console can create a key.
Prerequisites
You need to be logged into the web console with administration privileges.
For details, see Logging in to the web console.
Procedure
In the RHEL 9 web console, click on your
username@hostname
in the top left corner of the Overview page.In the drop down menu, click the Add new host button.
- In the Add new host dialog box, specify the host you want to add.
Add the user name for the account to which you want to connect.
You can use any user account of the remote system. However, if you use credentials of a user account without administration privileges, you will not be able to perform administration tasks.
- (Optional) Click the Color field to change the color of the system.
Click Add.
A new dialog window will appear asking for a password.
- Enter the user account password.
Check Authorize ssh key if you already have an ssh key.
Check Create a new SSH key and authorize it if you do not have an SSH key. The web console will create it for you.
- Add a password for the SSH key.
- Confirm the password.
Click Log in
The new host will appear in the list of hosts in the
username@hostname
drop down menu.
Verification steps
- Log out.
- Log back in.
- Click Log in in the Not connected to host screen.
Select SSH key as your authentication option.
- Enter your key password.
- Click Log in.
Additional resources