Difference between host based authentication and key based authentication

Question

I did a bit of research on google but was not able to get satisfactory answer. Can anyone please clarify same.

Thanks in advance

Solution

Host based authentication is where the host (or server) is authenticated so some users can just authenticate without the need of a key or whatsoever.

Key base authentication is where you, as a user generate a public and private key from your machine or host. You share your generated public key and then you can authenticate anywhere where a host has your public key (usually to avoid typing passwords).

More info: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSSH/Cookbook/Host-based_Authentication

I hope it helps

Comments

[realtebo]

What is the most secure ?

[Ramzendo]

For me it would be the key based authentication because the host based authentication wouldn't control WHO uses the host. If you want to use a combination of both it would be the best option of course.