Generating an SSH key pair using PuTTY
To use the system command-line interface, you must generate a Secure Shell (SSH) key pair using PuTTY.
About this task
Procedure
- Start PuTTYgen by clicking Start > Programs > PuTTY > PuTTYgen. The PuTTY Key Generator panel is displayed.
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Click SSH-2 RSA as the type of key to generate.
Note: Leave the number of bits in a generated key value at 1024.
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Click Generate and then move the cursor around the blank area of the
Key section to generate the random characters that create a unique key.
When the key has been completely generated, the information about the new key is displayed in the Key section.Attention: Do not modify the Key fingerprint or the Key comment fields; this can cause your key to no longer be valid.
- Optional: Enter a passphrase in the Key passphrase and Confirm passphrase fields. The passphrase encrypts the key on the disk; therefore, it is not possible to use the key without first entering the passphrase.
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Save the public key by:
- Click Save public key. You are prompted for the name and location of the public key.
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Type
icat.pub
as the name of the public key and specify the location where you want to save the public key.For example, you can create a directory on your computer called keys to store both the public and private keys. - Click Save.
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Save the private key by:
- Click Save private key. The PuTTYgen Warning panel is displayed.
- Click Yes to save the private key without a passphrase.
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Type
icat
as the name of the private key, and specify the location where you want to save the private key.For example, you can create a directory on your computer called keys to store both the public and private keys. It is recommended that you save your public and private keys in the same location. - Click Save.
- Close the PuTTY Key Generator window.