generating known host entry

Question

I would like to create a known_host entry but for some security ( permission ) reasons cannot add it directly when prompted for adding.

Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no) --> cannot say Yes

Wondering if there is a way to generate the entry ( print on command line ), so I can put it manually in the known_hosts file. I have the RSA key fingerprint.

TO paraphrase the question can I specify my own known_host entry file to generate the above entry ?

Just fyi:- I also have access to ssh-keygen command, ssh-keyscan and others are not available. Please comment if above information is insufficient and I can answer

Answer 1

You can use the -o switch to your ssh command to manually specify an alternative hosts file:

$ ssh -o UserKnownHostsFile=~/known_hosts.txt myserver

That will put the content into known_hosts.txt in your home directory, or you can change it to anywhere you should have write permissions to.

Answer 2

If you use this:

ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no server.example.net

you may be able to avoid the question altogether.