diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index aedf17b8b3f..e4460fecda9 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -380,10 +380,10 @@ ssh-keygen # note the path you save the key to
 make -C robot-server install-key br_ssh_pubkey=/path/to/pubkey host=${some_other_ip_address}
 ```
 
-and subsequently, when you do `make term`, add the `br_ssh_key=/path/to/key` option:
+and subsequently, when you do `make term`, add the `ssh_key=/path/to/key` option:
 
 ```shell
-make term br_ssh_key=/path/to/privkey
+make term ssh_key=/path/to/privkey
 ```
 
 If you create the key as `~/.ssh/robot_key` and `~/.ssh/robot_key.pub` then `make term` and `make install-key` will work without arguments.
diff --git a/api/Makefile b/api/Makefile
index c850ff11b67..770a5026743 100755
--- a/api/Makefile
+++ b/api/Makefile
@@ -49,10 +49,12 @@ test_opts ?=
 pypi_username ?=
 pypi_password ?=
 
-# Host key location for buildroot robot
-br_ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
-# Other SSH args for buildroot robots
+# Host key location for robot
+ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
+# Other SSH args for robot
 ssh_opts ?= $(default_ssh_opts)
+# Helper to safely bundle ssh options
+ssh_helper = $(if $(ssh_key),-i $(ssh_key)) $(ssh_opts)
 
 twine_auth_args := --username $(pypi_username) --password $(pypi_password)
 twine_repository_url ?= $(pypi_test_upload_url)
@@ -171,24 +173,23 @@ local-shell:
 
 .PHONY: push-no-restart
 push-no-restart: wheel
-	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
+	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
 
 .PHONY: push
 push: push-no-restart
-	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),"jupyter-notebook opentrons-robot-server")
+	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),"jupyter-notebook opentrons-robot-server")
 
 .PHONY: push-no-restart-ot3
 push-no-restart-ot3: sdist
 	echo $(sdist_file)
-	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),,$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),/opt/opentrons-robot-server,opentrons,src,,$(version_file))
-	ssh $(ssh_opts) root@$(host) "mount -o remount,rw / && mkdir -p /usr/local/bin"
-	scp $(ssh_opts) ./src/opentrons/hardware_control/scripts/ot3repl root@$(host):/usr/local/bin/ot3repl
-	scp $(ssh_opts) ./src/opentrons/hardware_control/scripts/ot3gripper root@$(host):/usr/local/bin/ot3gripper
-	ssh $(ssh_opts) root@$(host) "mount -o remount,ro /"
+	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),/opt/opentrons-robot-server,opentrons,src,,$(version_file))
+	ssh $(ssh_helper) root@$(host) "mount -o remount,rw / && mkdir -p /usr/local/bin"
+	scp $(ssh_helper) ./src/opentrons/hardware_control/scripts/{ot3repl,ot3gripper} root@$(host):/usr/local/bin/
+	ssh $(ssh_helper) root@$(host) "mount -o remount,ro /"
 
 .PHONY: push-ot3
 push-ot3: push-no-restart-ot3
-	$(call restart-server,$(host),,$(ssh_opts),"opentrons-robot-server")
+	$(call restart-server,$(host),$(host),$(ssh_opts),"opentrons-robot-server")
 
 .PHONY: simulate
 simulate:
@@ -206,7 +207,7 @@ deploy: wheel
 # User must currently specify host, e.g.: `make term host=169.254.202.176`
 .PHONY: term
 term:
-	ssh -i $(br_ssh_key) $(ssh_opts) root@$(host)
+	ssh $(ssh_helper) root@$(host)
 
 .PHONY: plot-session
 plot-session:
diff --git a/app-shell-odd/Makefile b/app-shell-odd/Makefile
index 5d67fef6db7..5dd7ca92736 100644
--- a/app-shell-odd/Makefile
+++ b/app-shell-odd/Makefile
@@ -72,9 +72,9 @@ dist-ot3: package-deps
 .PHONY: push-ot3
 push-ot3: dist-ot3
 	tar -zcvf opentrons-robot-app.tar.gz -C ./dist/linux-arm64-unpacked/ ./
-	scp -r $(ssh_opts) ./opentrons-robot-app.tar.gz root@$(host):
-	ssh $(ssh_opts) root@$(host) "mount -o remount,rw / && systemctl stop opentrons-robot-app && rm -rf /opt/opentrons-app && mkdir -p /opt/opentrons-app"
-	ssh $(ssh_opts) root@$(host) "tar -xvf opentrons-robot-app.tar.gz -C /opt/opentrons-app/ &&  mount -o remount,ro / && systemctl start opentrons-robot-app && rm -rf opentrons-robot-app.tar.gz"
+	scp $(if $(ssh_key),-i $(ssh_key)) $(ssh_opts) -r ./opentrons-robot-app.tar.gz root@$(host):
+	ssh $(if $(ssh_key),-i $(ssh_key)) $(ssh_opts) root@$(host) "mount -o remount,rw / && systemctl stop opentrons-robot-app && rm -rf /opt/opentrons-app && mkdir -p /opt/opentrons-app"
+	ssh $(if $(ssh_key),-i $(ssh_key)) $(ssh_opts) root@$(host) "tar -xvf opentrons-robot-app.tar.gz -C /opt/opentrons-app/ &&  mount -o remount,ro / && systemctl start opentrons-robot-app && rm -rf opentrons-robot-app.tar.gz"
 	rm -rf opentrons-robot-app.tar.gz
 
 # development
diff --git a/app-shell/Makefile b/app-shell/Makefile
index 7afc2ec6d0a..c8bd9be4e14 100644
--- a/app-shell/Makefile
+++ b/app-shell/Makefile
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ dist_files = $(if $(filter $(1),robot-stack),"dist/**/Opentrons-*","dist/**/Open
 update_files := "dist/@(alpha|beta|latest)*.@(yml|json)"
 publish_dir := dist/publish
 
-# Other SSH args for buildroot robots
+# Other SSH args for robot
 ssh_opts ?= $(default_ssh_opts)
 
 # TODO(mc, 2018-03-27): move all this to some sort of envfile
diff --git a/hardware-testing/Makefile b/hardware-testing/Makefile
index e25db7bf9fb..376261fe9e1 100755
--- a/hardware-testing/Makefile
+++ b/hardware-testing/Makefile
@@ -25,10 +25,12 @@ tests ?= tests
 cov_opts ?= --cov=hardware_testing --cov-report term-missing:skip-covered --cov-report xml:coverage.xml
 test_opts ?=
 
-# Host key location for buildroot robot
-br_ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
-# Other SSH args for buildroot robots
+# Host key location for robot
+ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
+# Other SSH args for robot
 ssh_opts ?= $(default_ssh_opts)
+# Helper to safely bundle ssh options
+ssh_helper = $(if $(ssh_key),-i $(ssh_key)) $(ssh_opts)
 
 # Source discovery
 # For the python sources
@@ -170,32 +172,32 @@ endef
 
 .PHONY: push-plot-webpage-ot3
 push-plot-webpage-ot3:
-	scp -r hardware_testing/tools/plot root@$(host):/data
-	$(call move-plot-webpage-ot3,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts))
+	scp $(ssh_helper) -r hardware_testing/tools/plot root@$(host):/data
+	$(call move-plot-webpage-ot3,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts))
 
 .PHONY: push-description-ot3
 push-description-ot3:
 	$(python) -c "from hardware_testing.data import create_git_description_file; create_git_description_file()"
-	scp ./.hardware-testing-description root@$(host):/data/.hardware-testing-description
+	scp $(ssh_helper) ./.hardware-testing-description root@$(host):/data/
 
 .PHONY: restart
 restart:
-	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),"opentrons-robot-server")
+	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),"opentrons-robot-server")
 
 .PHONY: push-no-restart
 push-no-restart: wheel
-	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
+	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
 
 .PHONY: push
 push: push-no-restart restart
 
 .PHONY: restart-ot3
 restart-ot3:
-	$(call restart-server,$(host),,$(ssh_opts),"opentrons-robot-server")
+	$(call restart-server,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),"opentrons-robot-server")
 
 .PHONY: push-no-restart-ot3
 push-no-restart-ot3: sdist Pipfile.lock
-	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),,$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),/opt/opentrons-robot-server,"hardware_testing",,,$(version_file))
+	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),/opt/opentrons-robot-server,"hardware_testing",,,$(version_file))
 
 .PHONY: push-ot3
 push-ot3: push-no-restart-ot3 push-plot-webpage-ot3 push-description-ot3
@@ -205,7 +207,7 @@ push-all: clean wheel push-no-restart push-plot-webpage
 
 .PHONY: term
 term:
-	ssh -i $(br_ssh_key) $(ssh_opts) root@$(host)
+	ssh $(ssh_helper) root@$(host)
 
 .PHONY: list-ports
 list-ports:
@@ -221,7 +223,7 @@ push-all-and-term: push-all term
 .PHONY: pull-data-ot3
 pull-data-ot3:
 	mkdir -p "./.pulled-data"
-	scp -r "root@$(host):/data/testing_data/$(test)" "./.pulled-data"
+	scp $(ssh_helper) -r "root@$(host):/data/testing_data/$(test)" "./.pulled-data"
 
 define delete-test-data-cmd
 ssh -i $(2) $(3) root@$(1) \
@@ -230,14 +232,14 @@ endef
 
 .PHONY: delete-data-ot3
 delete-data-ot3:
-	$(call delete-test-data-cmd,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(test))
+	$(call delete-test-data-cmd,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(test))
 
 define push-and-update-fw
-scp $(2) root@$(1):/tmp
-ssh root@$(1) \
-"function cleanup () { (rm -rf /tmp/$(2) || true) && mount -o remount,ro / ; } ;\
+scp -i $(2) $(3) $(4) root@$(1):/tmp/
+ssh -i $(2) $(3) root@$(1) \
+"function cleanup () { (rm -rf /tmp/$(4) || true) && mount -o remount,ro / ; } ;\
 mount -o remount,rw / &&\
-(unzip -o /tmp/$(2) -d /usr/lib/firmware || cleanup) &&\
+(unzip -o /tmp/$(4) -d /usr/lib/firmware || cleanup) &&\
 python3 -m json.tool /usr/lib/firmware/opentrons-firmware.json &&\
 cleanup"
 endef
@@ -248,7 +250,7 @@ sync-sw-ot3: push-ot3
 
 .PHONY: sync-fw-ot3
 sync-fw-ot3:
-	$(call push-and-update-fw,$(host),$(zip))
+	$(call push-and-update-fw,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(zip))
 
 .PHONY: sync-ot3
 sync-ot3: sync-sw-ot3 sync-fw-ot3
@@ -258,10 +260,10 @@ push-ot3-gravimetric:
 	$(MAKE) apply-patches-gravimetric
 	-$(MAKE) sync-sw-ot3
 	$(MAKE) remove-patches-gravimetric
-	scp -r -O hardware_testing/labware/opentrons_flex_96_tiprack_50ul_adp/ root@$(host):/data/labware/v2/custom_definitions/custom_beta/
-	scp -r -O hardware_testing/labware/opentrons_flex_96_tiprack_200ul_adp/ root@$(host):/data/labware/v2/custom_definitions/custom_beta/
-	scp -r -O hardware_testing/labware/opentrons_flex_96_tiprack_1000ul_adp/ root@$(host):/data/labware/v2/custom_definitions/custom_beta/
-	scp -r -O hardware_testing/labware/radwag_pipette_calibration_vial/ root@$(host):/data/labware/v2/custom_definitions/custom_beta/
+	scp $(ssh_helper) -r -O hardware_testing/labware/opentrons_flex_96_tiprack_50ul_adp/ root@$(host):/data/labware/v2/custom_definitions/custom_beta/
+	scp $(ssh_helper) -r -O hardware_testing/labware/opentrons_flex_96_tiprack_200ul_adp/ root@$(host):/data/labware/v2/custom_definitions/custom_beta/
+	scp $(ssh_helper) -r -O hardware_testing/labware/opentrons_flex_96_tiprack_1000ul_adp/ root@$(host):/data/labware/v2/custom_definitions/custom_beta/
+	scp $(ssh_helper) -r -O hardware_testing/labware/radwag_pipette_calibration_vial/ root@$(host):/data/labware/v2/custom_definitions/custom_beta/
 
 .PHONY: apply-patches-gravimetric
 apply-patches-gravimetric:
@@ -283,7 +285,7 @@ update-patches-gravimetric:
 
 .PHONY: push-photometric-ot2
 push-photometric-ot2:
-	scp -r -O photometric-ot2/photometric_ot2 root@$(host):/data/user_storage
+	scp $(ssh_helper) -r -O photometric-ot2/photometric_ot2 root@$(host):/data/user_storage
 
 .PHONY: get-latest-tag
 get-latest-tag:
diff --git a/hardware/Makefile b/hardware/Makefile
index baca8db7004..757beb564f1 100755
--- a/hardware/Makefile
+++ b/hardware/Makefile
@@ -36,10 +36,12 @@ test_opts ?=
 pypi_username ?=
 pypi_password ?=
 
-# Host key location for buildroot robot
-br_ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
-# Other SSH args for buildroot robots
+# Host key location for robot
+ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
+# Other SSH args for robot
 ssh_opts ?= $(default_ssh_opts)
+# Helper to safely bundle ssh options
+ssh_helper = $(if $(ssh_key),-i $(ssh_key)) $(ssh_opts)
 
 twine_auth_args := --username $(pypi_username) --password $(pypi_password)
 twine_repository_url ?= $(pypi_test_upload_url)
@@ -121,19 +123,19 @@ dev:
 
 .PHONY: push-no-restart
 push-no-restart: wheel
-	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
+	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
 
 .PHONY: push
 push: push-no-restart
-	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),"jupyter-notebook opentrons-robot-server")
+	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),"jupyter-notebook opentrons-robot-server")
 
 .PHONY: push-no-restart-ot3
 push-no-restart-ot3: sdist Pipfile.lock
-	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),,$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),/opt/opentrons-robot-server,"opentrons_hardware",,,$(version_file))
+	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),/opt/opentrons-robot-server,"opentrons_hardware",,,$(version_file))
 
 .PHONY: push-ot3
 push-ot3: push-no-restart-ot3
-	$(call restart-server,$(host),,$(ssh_opts),"opentrons-robot-server")
+	$(call restart-server,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),"opentrons-robot-server")
 
 
 # Launch the emulator application.
diff --git a/notify-server/Makefile b/notify-server/Makefile
index a3000fa0361..30e79a994a8 100755
--- a/notify-server/Makefile
+++ b/notify-server/Makefile
@@ -41,11 +41,11 @@ tests ?= tests
 cov_opts ?= --cov=$(SRC_PATH) --cov-report term-missing:skip-covered --cov-report xml:coverage.xml
 test_opts ?=
 
-# Host key location for buildroot robot
-br_ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
+# Host key location for robot
+ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
 # Pubkey location for buildroot robot to install with install-key
-br_ssh_pubkey ?= $(br_ssh_key).pub
-# Other SSH args for buildroot robots
+br_ssh_pubkey ?= $(ssh_key).pub
+# Other SSH args for robot
 ssh_opts ?= $(default_ssh_opts)
 
 # Source discovery
@@ -128,19 +128,19 @@ local-shell:
 
 .PHONY: push
 push: wheel
-	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
-	$(call push-systemd-unit,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),./opentrons-notify-server.service)
-	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),opentrons-notify-server)
+	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
+	$(call push-systemd-unit,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),./opentrons-notify-server.service)
+	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),opentrons-notify-server)
 
 
 .PHONY: push-no-restart-ot3
 push-no-restart-ot3: sdist
-	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),,$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),"/opt/opentrons-robot-server","notify_server",,,$(version_file))
+	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),"/opt/opentrons-robot-server","notify_server",,,$(version_file))
 
 
 .PHONY: push-ot3
 push-ot3: push-no-restart-ot3
-	$(call restart-server,$(host),,$(ssh_opts),"opentrons-notify-server")
+	$(call restart-server,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),"opentrons-notify-server")
 
 
 .PHONY: install-key
@@ -152,4 +152,4 @@ install-key:
 # User must currently specify host, e.g.: `make term host=169.254.202.176`
 .PHONY: term
 term:
-	ssh -i $(br_ssh_key) $(ssh_opts) root@$(host)
+	ssh $(if $(ssh_key),-i $(ssh_key)) $(ssh_opts) root@$(host)
diff --git a/robot-server/Makefile b/robot-server/Makefile
index 2cfcf90c30d..c91b4176280 100755
--- a/robot-server/Makefile
+++ b/robot-server/Makefile
@@ -36,11 +36,11 @@ tests ?= tests
 cov_opts ?= --cov=$(SRC_PATH) --cov-report term-missing:skip-covered --cov-report xml:coverage.xml
 test_opts ?=
 
-# Host key location for buildroot robot
-br_ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
-# Pubkey location for buildroot robot to install with install-key
-br_ssh_pubkey ?= $(br_ssh_key).pub
-# Other SSH args for buildroot robots
+# Host key location for robot
+ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
+# Pubkey location for robot to install with install-key
+ssh_pubkey ?= $(ssh_key).pub
+# Other SSH args for robot
 ssh_opts ?= $(default_ssh_opts)
 
 # Source discovery
@@ -150,19 +150,19 @@ local-shell:
 
 .PHONY: push
 push: wheel
-	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
-	$(call push-systemd-unit,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),./opentrons-robot-server.service)
-	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),opentrons-robot-server)
+	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
+	$(call push-systemd-unit,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),./opentrons-robot-server.service)
+	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),opentrons-robot-server)
 
 .PHONY: push-ot3
 push-ot3: sdist
-	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),,$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),"/opt/opentrons-robot-server","robot_server",,,$(version_file))
+	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),"/opt/opentrons-robot-server","robot_server",,,$(version_file))
 
 .PHONY: install-key
 install-key:
 	curl -X POST $(host):31950/server/ssh_keys\
 		-H "Content-Type: application/json"\
-		-d "{\"key\":\"$(shell cat $(br_ssh_pubkey))\"}"
+		-d "{\"key\":\"$(shell cat $(ssh_pubkey))\"}"
 
 .PHONY: restart
 restart:
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ change-left:
 # User must currently specify host, e.g.: `make term host=169.254.202.176`
 .PHONY: term
 term:
-	ssh -i $(br_ssh_key) $(ssh_opts) root@$(host)
+	ssh -i $(ssh_key) $(ssh_opts) root@$(host)
 
 
 .PHONY: docs
diff --git a/scripts/push.mk b/scripts/push.mk
index 4f114daa64e..d1fcf08cf83 100644
--- a/scripts/push.mk
+++ b/scripts/push.mk
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # utilities for pushing things to robots in a reusable fashion
 
 find_robot=$(shell yarn run -s discovery find -i 169.254)
-default_ssh_key := ~/.ssh/robot_key
+default_ssh_key :=
 default_ssh_opts := -o stricthostkeychecking=no -o userknownhostsfile=/dev/null
 version_dict=$(shell ssh $(call id-file-arg,$(2)) $(3) root@$(1) cat /etc/VERSION.json)
 is-ot3=$(findstring OT-3, $(version_dict))
diff --git a/server-utils/Makefile b/server-utils/Makefile
index 896b1a26916..12c61573049 100755
--- a/server-utils/Makefile
+++ b/server-utils/Makefile
@@ -35,11 +35,11 @@ tests ?= tests
 cov_opts ?= --cov=$(SRC_PATH) --cov-report term-missing:skip-covered --cov-report xml:coverage.xml
 test_opts ?=
 
-# Host key location for buildroot robot
-br_ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
+# Host key location for robot
+ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
 # Pubkey location for buildroot robot to install with install-key
-br_ssh_pubkey ?= $(br_ssh_key).pub
-# Other SSH args for buildroot robots
+br_ssh_pubkey ?= $(ssh_key).pub
+# Other SSH args for robot
 ssh_opts ?= $(default_ssh_opts)
 
 # Source discovery
@@ -111,9 +111,9 @@ local-shell:
 
 .PHONY: push
 push: wheel
-	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
+	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
 
 .PHONY: push-ot3
 push-ot3: sdist
-	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),,$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),"/opt/opentrons-system-server","server_utils",,,$(version_file))
-	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),,$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),"/opt/opentrons-robot-server","server_utils")
+	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),"/opt/opentrons-system-server","server_utils",,,$(version_file))
+	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),"/opt/opentrons-robot-server","server_utils")
diff --git a/shared-data/python/Makefile b/shared-data/python/Makefile
index d3376bd89e9..5b8778e09ef 100644
--- a/shared-data/python/Makefile
+++ b/shared-data/python/Makefile
@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@
 include ../../scripts/python.mk
 include ../../scripts/push.mk
 
-# Host key location for buildroot robot
-br_ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
-# Other SSH args for buildroot robots
+# Host key location for robot
+ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
+# Other SSH args for robot
 ssh_opts ?= $(default_ssh_opts)
 
 # using bash instead of /bin/bash in SHELL prevents macOS optimizing away our PATH update
@@ -103,19 +103,19 @@ format:
 
 .PHONY: push-no-restart
 push-no-restart: wheel
-	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
+	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
 
 .PHONY: push
 push: push-no-restart
-	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),opentrons-robot-server)
+	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),opentrons-robot-server)
 
 .PHONY: push-no-restart-ot3
 push-no-restart-ot3: sdist
-	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),,$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),/opt/opentrons-robot-server,opentrons_shared_data)
+	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(sdist_file),/opt/opentrons-robot-server,opentrons_shared_data)
 
 .PHONY: push-ot3
 push-ot3: push-no-restart-ot3
-	$(call restart-server,$(host),,$(ssh_opts),opentrons-robot-server)
+	$(call restart-server,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),opentrons-robot-server)
 
 .PHONY: deploy
 deploy: wheel
diff --git a/system-server/Makefile b/system-server/Makefile
index 7de75cafc83..56130abf7a5 100644
--- a/system-server/Makefile
+++ b/system-server/Makefile
@@ -35,10 +35,10 @@ version_file = $(call python_get_git_version,system-server,$(project_ot3_default
 # specified test
 tests ?= tests
 test_opts ?=
-# Host key location for buildroot robot
-br_ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
-# Other SSH args for buildroot robots
-br_ssh_opts ?= $(default_ssh_opts)
+# Host key location for robot
+ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
+# Other SSH args for robot
+ssh_opts ?= $(default_ssh_opts)
 
 .PHONY: setup
 setup:
@@ -91,14 +91,14 @@ sdist: clean
 
 .PHONY: push
 push: wheel
-	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
-	$(call push-systemd-unit,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),./opentrons-system-server.service)
-	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),opentrons-system-server)
+	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),$(wheel_file))
+	$(call push-systemd-unit,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),./opentrons-system-server.service)
+	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),opentrons-system-server)
 
 .PHONY: push-ot3
 push-ot3: sdist
-	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),,$(br_ssh_opts),dist/$(sdist_file),/opt/opentrons-system-server,system_server,,,$(version_file))
-	$(call restart-service,$(host),,$(br_ssh_opts),opentrons-system-server)
+	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),dist/$(sdist_file),/opt/opentrons-system-server,system_server,,,$(version_file))
+	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),opentrons-system-server)
 
 .PHONY: dev
 dev: export OT_SYSTEM_SERVER_DOT_ENV_PATH ?= dev.env
diff --git a/update-server/Makefile b/update-server/Makefile
index 0782d7a9fc2..24946ac09cd 100644
--- a/update-server/Makefile
+++ b/update-server/Makefile
@@ -21,10 +21,10 @@ wheel_file = $(call python_get_wheelname,update-server,$(project_rs_default),otu
 sdist_file = $(call python_get_sdistname,update-server,$(project_ot3_default),otupdate)
 # Find the branch, sha, version that will be used to update the VERSION.json file
 version_file = $(call python_get_git_version,update-server,$(project_ot3_default),update-server)
-# Host key location for buildroot robot
-br_ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
-# Other SSH args for buildroot robots
-br_ssh_opts ?= $(default_ssh_opts)
+# Host key location for robot
+ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
+# Other SSH args for robot
+ssh_opts ?= $(default_ssh_opts)
 
 
 .PHONY: setup
@@ -93,12 +93,12 @@ restart:
 
 .PHONY: push
 push: wheel
-	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(br_ssh_opts),dist/$(wheel_file))
-	$(call push-systemd-unit,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(br_ssh_opts),./opentrons-update-server.service)
-	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(br_ssh_key),$(br_ssh_opts),opentrons-update-server)
+	$(call push-python-package,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),dist/$(wheel_file))
+	$(call push-systemd-unit,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),./opentrons-update-server.service)
+	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),opentrons-update-server)
 
 
 .PHONY: push-ot3
 push-ot3: sdist
-	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),,$(br_ssh_opts),dist/$(sdist_file),/opt/opentrons-update-server,"otupdate",,,$(version_file))
-	$(call restart-service,$(host),,$(br_ssh_opts),opentrons-update-server)
+	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),dist/$(sdist_file),/opt/opentrons-update-server,"otupdate",,,$(version_file))
+	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),opentrons-update-server)
diff --git a/usb-bridge/Makefile b/usb-bridge/Makefile
index d715389f3c0..930e10c78a5 100644
--- a/usb-bridge/Makefile
+++ b/usb-bridge/Makefile
@@ -26,10 +26,10 @@ sdist_file = $(call python_get_sdistname,usb-bridge,$(project_ot3_default),ot3us
 # Find the branch, sha, version that will be used to update the VERSION.json file
 version_file = $(call python_get_git_version,usb-bridge,$(project_ot3_default),ot3usb)
 
-# Host key location for buildroot robot
-br_ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
-# Other SSH args for buildroot robots
-br_ssh_opts ?= $(default_ssh_opts)
+# Host key location for robot
+ssh_key ?= $(default_ssh_key)
+# Other SSH args for robot
+ssh_opts ?= $(default_ssh_opts)
 
 .PHONY: setup
 setup:
@@ -74,5 +74,5 @@ sdist: clean
 
 .PHONY: push-ot3
 push-ot3: sdist
-	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),,$(br_ssh_opts),dist/$(sdist_file),/opt/ot3usb,ot3usb,,,$(version_file))
-	$(call restart-service,$(host),,$(br_ssh_opts),opentrons-usb-bridge)
+	$(call push-python-sdist,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),dist/$(sdist_file),/opt/ot3usb,ot3usb,,,$(version_file))
+	$(call restart-service,$(host),$(ssh_key),$(ssh_opts),opentrons-usb-bridge)