Syncing Keys between multiple computers?

John Clizbe John at enigmail.net
Mon May 2 01:51:06 CEST 2011


Christopher Tran wrote:
> Whats the easiest way to keep GPG keys synced between my computers? Like, I
have my MacBook, which is usually my main machine, but I also have my netbook
which I prefer carrying around and sometimes I update my key with User IDs on
either machine but the only way I have thought of is to export and import every
single time. Is there an easier way?

The simplification is in /how/ you import the keys:

    gpg --import /path/to/other/secring.gpg

    gpg --import-options import-local-sigs --import /path/to/other/pubring.gpg

Do this first on one machine bringing over the changes from the other and then
repeat on the second machine. By importing the full keyring, there is no need
for the export step.

Note: this works for now. It is likely to change and break in some form
in the future.

An alternate strategy is to use portable storage such as an USB memory stick or
some other form of flash memory, and merge the keyring files onto that device
and then point GnuPG to look there for keys by editing gpg.conf.
-- 
John P. Clizbe                      Inet:   John (a) Enigmail DAWT net
FSF Assoc #995 / FSFE Fellow #1797  hkp://keyserver.gingerbear.net  or
     mailto:pgp-public-keys at gingerbear.net?subject=HELP

Q:"Just how do the residents of Haiku, Hawai'i hold conversations?"
A:"An odd melody / island voices on the winds / surplus of vowels"

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