...

does anyone know of anything specific that Centos is doing here? or what can be my problem?

Try making sure that the permissions for the /root/.ssh directory is 700, and the permissions on the /root/.ssh/authorized_keys is 600.

Also try looking at your logs if that doesn't help. Whenever I've had any problem like you're describing, it was being logged, which in turn clued me in on the problem.

-Ryan

Nope.

...

or what can be my problem?

Check your permissions on both the client and server.

chmod -R 0700 ~/.ssh

-- Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams ivazquez@ivazquez.net http://centos.ivazquez.net/

Thx Ryan and Ignacio

you guys were so right w/your replies...I just kept concentrating on permissions.. I would make a change and right away do: chmod -R 700 /root/.ssh

I did not do chmod 600 /root/.ssh/authorized_keys as it didn't seem to need be...for sure I would have if I couldn't get it working.

I was aware that permissions were a major player here but thought I had them right but didn't...

well, sure appreciate your replies

john rose