1. As you can see, it’s very easy to generate SSH keys on Windows these days. Basically, the ssh-keygen command does all the work. If you find it difficult to understand how to add the public key to the server, look up your provider’s documentation. They always have a page that describes, in detail, how to do this.
2. I set a passphrase when creating a new SSH key on my laptop. But, as I realise now, this is quite painful when you are trying to commit (Git and SVN) to a remote location over SSH.
3. To create a new key pair, select the type of key to generate from the bottom of the screen (using SSH-2 RSA with 2048 bit key size is good for most people; another good well.
4. You should save at least the private key by clicking Save private key. It may be advisable to also save the public key. Using PuTTYgen to generate an SSH key.
5. May 17, 2019 We can generate ssh key pair on Unix using ssh-keygen utility. This comes under openssh in all Unix flavour Run the ssh-keygen ssh-keygen -b 2048 -t rsa rsa: it is the algorithm for generating the public -private key pair 2048: it is bit size ssh-keygen -b 2048 -t rsa Generating public/private rsa key pair.

Several tools exist to generate SSH public/private key pairs. The following sections show how to generate an SSH key pair on UNIX, UNIX-like and Windows platforms.

Mac Generate Ssh Key

This chapter explains how to convert a private key in PEM format to one in the new OpenSSH format. Ssh-keygen -p -o -f /root/.ssh/idrsa. The path /root/.ssh/idrsa is the path of the old private key file. The above steps shall help you install SSH keys on any virtual private server in a completely safe, secure and hassle-free manner.

Generating an SSH Key Pair on UNIX and UNIX-Like Platforms Using the ssh-keygen Utility

UNIX and UNIX-like platforms (including Solaris and Linux) include the ssh-keygen utility to generate SSH key pairs.

1. Navigate to your home directory:
2. Run the ssh-keygen utility, providing as filename your choice of file name for the private key:

   The ssh-keygen utility prompts you for a passphrase for the private key.

3. Enter a passphrase for the private key, or press Enter to create a private key without a passphrase:

   Note:

   While a passphrase is not required, you should specify one as a security measure to protect the private key from unauthorized use. When you specify a passphrase, a user must enter the passphrase every time the private key is used.

   The ssh-keygen utility prompts you to enter the passphrase again.

4. Enter the passphrase again, or press Enter again to continue creating a private key without a passphrase:
5. The ssh-keygen utility displays a message indicating that the private key has been saved as filename and the public key has been saved as filename.pub. It also displays information about the key fingerprint and randomart image.

Generating an SSH Key Pair on Windows Using the PuTTYgen Program

The PuTTYgen program is part of PuTTY, an open source networking client for the Windows platform.

How To Generate Ssh Keys

1. Download and install PuTTY or PuTTYgen.

   To download PuTTY or PuTTYgen, go to http://www.putty.org/ and click the You can download PuTTY here link.

2. Run the PuTTYgen program.
3. Set the Type of key to generate option to SSH-2 RSA.
4. In the Number of bits in a generated key box, enter 2048.
5. Click Generate to generate a public/private key pair.

   As the key is being generated, move the mouse around the blank area as directed.

6. (Optional) Enter a passphrase for the private key in the Key passphrase box and reenter it in the Confirm passphrase box.

   Note:

   While a passphrase is not required, you should specify one as a security measure to protect the private key from unauthorized use. When you specify a passphrase, a user must enter the passphrase every time the private key is used.

7. Click Save private key to save the private key to a file. To adhere to file-naming conventions, you should give the private key file an extension of .ppk (PuTTY private key).

   Note:

   The .ppk file extension indicates that the private key is in PuTTY's proprietary format. You must use a key of this format when using PuTTY as your SSH client. It cannot be used with other SSH client tools. Refer to the PuTTY documentation to convert a private key in this format to a different format.
8. Select all of the characters in the Public key for pasting into OpenSSH authorized_keys file box.

   Make sure you select all the characters, not just the ones you can see in the narrow window. If a scroll bar is next to the characters, you aren't seeing all the characters.

9. Right-click somewhere in the selected text and select Copy from the menu.
10. Open a text editor and paste the characters, just as you copied them. Start at the first character in the text editor, and do not insert any line breaks.
11. Save the text file in the same folder where you saved the private key, using the .pub extension to indicate that the file contains a public key.
12. If you or others are going to use an SSH client that requires the OpenSSH format for private keys (such as the ssh utility on Linux), export the private key:
    1. On the Conversions menu, choose Export OpenSSH key.
    2. Save the private key in OpenSSH format in the same folder where you saved the private key in .ppk format, using an extension such as .openssh to indicate the file's content.