Resolving SSH Config Bad Configuration Option: UseKeyChain Issue on macOS Sierra 10.12.6

The “Bad configuration option: usekeychain” error in SSH config on macOS Sierra 10.12.6 arises because the UseKeychain directive is not recognized by the SSH version included in this OS. This issue is relevant as it prevents users from leveraging macOS’s keychain for storing SSH passphrases, leading to potential security and usability concerns. Users must find workarounds to maintain secure and efficient SSH connections.

Understanding the Error

The error “bad configuration option: usekeychain” occurs because the usekeychain option is not recognized by the version of OpenSSH included with macOS Sierra 10.12.6. This option was introduced in later versions of OpenSSH, which are not available by default on macOS Sierra 10.12.6.

To resolve this, you can either:

1. Upgrade OpenSSH: Install a newer version of OpenSSH that supports the usekeychain option.
2. Modify Configuration: Add IgnoreUnknown UseKeychain before the UseKeychain yes line in your .ssh/config file. This will ignore the unrecognized option on systems that do not support it.

Common Causes

The “bad configuration option usekeychain” error on macOS Sierra 10.12.6 typically arises due to:

1. Configuration Mismatches:

   • The usekeychain option is specific to the version of OpenSSH included with macOS. If you’re using a different version of OpenSSH, such as one installed via Homebrew or MacPorts, it might not recognize this option.
   • To resolve this, you can either remove the usekeychain option from your SSH config or add the IgnoreUnknown directive before it to ignore unrecognized options.

2. Software Updates:

   • Ensure you’re using the correct version of OpenSSH that supports the usekeychain option. The macOS system version is typically located at /usr/bin/ssh, while other versions might be in /usr/local or similar directories.
   • Running which ssh or where ssh can help identify which version of SSH is being used.

These steps should help address the configuration mismatches and ensure compatibility with the usekeychain option.

Troubleshooting Steps

Sure, here’s a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and resolve the ‘ssh config bad configuration option usekeychain on macOS Sierra 10.12.6′ error:

1. Open Terminal:

   • Press Cmd + Space to open Spotlight Search.
   • Type Terminal and press Enter.

2. Edit the SSH Config File:

   • In Terminal, type nano ~/.ssh/config and press Enter to open the SSH config file in the Nano text editor.

3. Add IgnoreUnknown Directive:

   • At the top of the file, add the following line:

     IgnoreUnknown UseKeychain
     

4. Modify or Remove UseKeychain Option:

   • Find the lines that contain UseKeychain yes.
   • Either remove these lines or ensure they are below the IgnoreUnknown directive.

5. Save and Exit:

   • Press Ctrl + O to save the file.
   • Press Enter to confirm.
   • Press Ctrl + X to exit Nano.

6. Verify SSH Configuration:

   • In Terminal, type ssh -T [email protected] (or any other SSH command you use) to test the configuration.

This should resolve the error by ignoring the unrecognized UseKeychain option on macOS Sierra 10.12.6.

Preventive Measures

To avoid the ‘ssh config bad configuration option usekeychain’ error on macOS Sierra 10.12.6, you can:

1. Use the IgnoreUnknown directive: Add IgnoreUnknown UseKeychain before UseKeychain yes in your .ssh/config file.
2. Check your SSH version: Ensure you’re using the macOS version of SSH, which supports the usekeychain option.
3. Remove the option: If using a different SSH version, remove the usekeychain option from your config.

These steps should help prevent the error from occurring.

The ‘ssh config bad configuration option usekeychain’ error on macOS Sierra 10.12.6

The ‘ssh config bad configuration option usekeychain’ error on macOS Sierra 10.12.6 occurs due to the unrecognized ‘usekeychain’ option by the default OpenSSH version.

To resolve this, users can either upgrade OpenSSH or modify their SSH configuration by adding the ‘IgnoreUnknown UseKeychain’ directive before the ‘UseKeychain yes’ line in their .ssh/config file.

This ensures compatibility with the usekeychain option and prevents potential security and usability concerns.

Proper SSH configuration is crucial to maintain secure and efficient connections, and users should verify their SSH version and configuration to avoid this error.