2. I may not know enough detail here, but why would it then be that root password '!' prevents me from logging with SSH key, but root password of '*' allows me to do so? I was under impression that '!' in /etc/shadow password field is used to disable logins for that account entirely.
1. OK
2. I may not know enough detail here, but why would it then be that root password '!' prevents me from logging with SSH key, but root password of '*' allows me to do so? I was under impression that '!' in /etc/shadow password field is used to disable logins for that account entirely.