Here’s an example setup to create SSH host shortnames. On your local computer, add the following to ~/.ssh/config :

Host server1
HostName server1.internet.com
User marius
 
Host server2
HostName server2.internet.com
User marius
 
Host *
User marius

Now with this file saved, you can ssh into server2.hostname.tld with just the following command:

ssh server2

This will save you having to type out:

ssh marius@server2.hostname.tld

And if you have public key authentication setup, it makes the process even smoother. Adding the wildcard host record at the bottom allows you to specify a default username to use for other servers to the ones you’ve not specified above.

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Author: Marius Voila

Hi! My name is Marius Voila, and I am a professional system administrator, system architect, and designer.