"SSH Key Configuration"

SSH keys provide secure access to your virtual machines. SSH key management requires user authentication.

Managing SSH Keys

Access your SSH keys through the platform interface:

Automatic Loading

Seamless Integration

SSH keys are automatically loaded when authenticated

Keys are displayed in the deployment interface

Multiple keys can be selected for team access

Regional distribution is handled automatically

Key Selection

Flexible Key Assignment

Keys are automatically selected if you have only one available

Multiple keys can be selected for single VM

Team members can use different keys

Keys remain associated with VMs after deployment

Creating SSH Keys

Generate new SSH key pairs directly through the platform interface.

Key Generation Process

Access SSH Keys

Navigate to SSH Keys section

Initiate Creation

Click "Create Key" in the SSH key management interface

Name Your Key

Enter a unique name for the key (1-50 characters):

Use descriptive names like "my-project-key" or "development-server"

Names must contain only letters, numbers, underscores, hyphens, and periods

Choose names that help identify the key's purpose

Generate and Download

Click "Create Key" to generate the keypair:

System generates a secure 2048-bit RSA public/private key pair

Private key file automatically downloads to your computer

Public key is stored in your account

Key Generation Features

Automatic Generation

Instant Download

Platform Integration

Critical Security Notice

Importing Existing SSH Keys

Import SSH keys that you already use for other services.

Import Process

Access Import Function

Navigate to SSH Keys and click "Import Key"

Name Your Key

Enter a descriptive name for the key (maximum 50 characters):

Use names like "github-key" or "laptop-ssh-key"

Names must contain only letters, numbers, underscores, hyphens, and periods

Choose names that identify the key's source or purpose

Paste Public Key

Paste your public key content in the text area:

Key must begin with ssh-rsa, ssh-ed25519, or similar

Include the entire public key on a single line

Include optional comment if desired

Import Key

Click "Import Key" to add it to your account:

System validates key format

Key is added to your account immediately

Available for VM deployment right away

Finding Your Public Key

Locate your existing public key on your system:

Linux/MacOS

Windows

Common Public Key Locations

Your public key is typically located at:

Display and copy your public key:

Public Key Format Requirements

Understanding the correct format for import:

Valid public key requirements:

Must begin with key type: ssh-rsa, ssh-ed25519, or ssh-dss

Contains a long base64-encoded string of characters

Optionally ends with a comment (usually email address or description)

Must be on a single line with no line breaks

Setting Private Key Permissions

After downloading your private key file, you must set the correct permissions for security:

Linux/MacOS

Windows

Set Secure Permissions

Example:

This command ensures only you can read and write the file, which is required for SSH security.

SSH Key Limits and Restrictions

Key Limits

Account Restrictions

Maximum of 25 SSH keys per region

Key names must be unique within your account

Generated keys use 2048-bit RSA encryption

Keys are automatically distributed to all regions upon creation

Naming Requirements

Key Naming Rules

1-50 characters maximum length

Letters, numbers, underscores, hyphens, periods only

Must be unique within your account

Use descriptive names for easy identification

Supported Key Types

The platform supports industry-standard SSH key types:

RSA Keys

Ed25519 Keys

ECDSA Keys

SSH Connection Examples

Once your keys are configured, use them to connect to your VMs:

Basic SSH Connection

Parameter explanations:

/path/to/private_key - Path to your downloaded private key file

username - Default user for your OS (ubuntu, centos, admin, etc.)

vm_ip_address - Public IP address of your VM

Username by Operating System

Ubuntu Images

Other Linux

Default Username: ubuntu

All Ubuntu-based OS images use the ubuntu user by default.

SSH Config File (Recommended)

For easier connections, add entries to your SSH config file (~/.ssh/config):

After adding this configuration, you can connect simply with:

Key Selection During VM Deployment

During VM deployment, you can configure SSH key access:

Single Key Selection

Automatic Selection

If you have only one SSH key, it's automatically selected

Manual Selection

If you have multiple keys, choose the appropriate one for the VM

Key Validation

System validates key availability and format

VM Integration

Selected keys are automatically installed on the VM during provisioning

Multiple Key Selection

Team Access

Multiple Key Benefits

Allow access by different team members

Each person uses their own SSH key

Individual access control and auditing

No shared credentials needed

Backup Access

Redundant Access

Multiple keys provide backup access

Different keys for different purposes

Reduced risk of lockout

Flexible access management

Regional Key Distribution

SSH keys are automatically distributed across all available regions when created or imported:

Automatic Distribution

Available Regions

Seamless Regional Access

Keys automatically available in all regions

No manual distribution required

Consistent access across deployments

Simplified multi-region operations

SSH Key Best Practices

Security Best Practices

Key Generation

Key Storage

Key Maintenance

Access Control

Operational Best Practices

Plan Key Strategy

Determine key naming conventions

Plan for different environments (dev, staging, prod)

Consider team access requirements

Plan key rotation schedule

Implement Key Management

Create keys with descriptive names

Set up secure key storage

Document key purposes and usage

Train team on key security practices

Monitor and Maintain

Track key usage and access patterns

Regular security audits of key access

Remove unused keys promptly

Update key documentation regularly

Scale Security

Implement automated key rotation where possible

Use configuration management for key distribution

Monitor for unauthorized key usage

Plan for emergency key replacement procedures

Managing SSH Keys#

Creating SSH Keys#

Key Generation Process#

Key Generation Features#

Critical Security Notice#

Importing Existing SSH Keys#

Import Process#

Finding Your Public Key#

Public Key Format Requirements#

Setting Private Key Permissions#

SSH Key Limits and Restrictions#

Supported Key Types#

SSH Connection Examples#

Basic SSH Connection#

Username by Operating System#

SSH Config File (Recommended)#

Key Selection During VM Deployment#

Single Key Selection#

Multiple Key Selection#

Regional Key Distribution#

SSH Key Best Practices#

Security Best Practices#

Operational Best Practices#