Generating SSH Keys (2024)

Installing the OpenSSH Client on Windows 10

In Windows Powershell (you do not need to be an administrator for this.):
Keystrokes to open Powershell: ⊞+X then I

Navigate to your .ssh directory.

cd ~/.ssh

If the directory doesn't exist, use mkdir ~/.ssh

mkdir ~/.sshcd ~/.ssh

Type ssh-keygen and press ENTER.

ssh-keygen -t ed25519Generating public/private ed25519 key pair.Enter file in which to save the key (C:\Users\{userprofile}/.ssh/id_ed25519):

In id_username, username is your gsu campusid

Enter the path name to the key. To store it in your current location (~/.ssh/): id_username

Enter file in which to save the key (C:\Users\{userprofile}/.ssh/id_ed25519): id_username

It will ask for a passphrase. Type in a password that you will use to unlock your key. This will be required every time you use it.
Please note that the terminal will not show characters as you type any password.

Enter passphrase (empty for no passphrase):Enter same passphrase again:

It will then generate your private/public ssh key pair in the location that you specified.

ssh-keygenGenerating public/private ed25519 key pair.Enter file in which to save the key (C:\Users\userprofile/.ssh/id_ed25519): id_usernameEnter passphrase (empty for no passphrase):Enter same passphrase again:Your identification has been saved in id_{username}.Your public key has been saved in id_{username}.pub.The key fingerprint is:SHA256:StringOfRandomCharactersAssociatedWithYourKey username@computernameThe key's randomart image is:+--[ED25519 256]--+| .++==++.E || o.oo++ . || ++*o.+ || o=o+=.. || .*=So= || o+++B.o || .+ooo || . .o || o. |+----[SHA256]-----+

Once the keys are created, sign your keys on Elpis https://arcwiki.rs.gsu.edu/en/home/elpis/signing-keys.

To open Terminal: ⌘+SPACE then type terminal

Navigate to your .ssh directory:

cd ~/.ssh

If the directory doesn't exist:

mkdir ~/.sshcd ~/.ssh

Once in terminal:
Type ssh-keygen -t ed25519 and press ↵.

ssh-keygen -t ed25519Generating public/private ed25519 key pair.Enter file in which to save the key (/Users/username/.ssh/id_ed25519):

Enter the full path name to the key. To save the key in the default location: id_username

Enter file in which to save the key (/Users/username/.ssh/id_ed25519): id_username

It will ask for a passphrase. Type in a password that you will use to unlock your key. This will be required every time you use it.
Please note that Powershell will not show characters as you type any password.

Enter passphrase (empty for no passphrase):Enter same passphrase again:

It will then generate your private/public ssh key pair in the location that you specified.

ssh-keygen -t ed25519Generating public/private ed25519 key pair.Enter file in which to save the key (/Users/username/.ssh/id_ed25519): id_{username}Enter passphrase (empty for no passphrase):Enter same passphrase again:Your identification has been saved in id_username.Your public key has been saved in id_username.pub.The key fingerprint is:SHA256:StringOfRandomCharactersAssociatedWithYourKey username@computernameThe key's randomart image is:+--[ED25519 256]--+| .++==++.E || o.oo++ . || ++*o.+ || o=o+=.. || .*=So= || o+++B.o || .+ooo || . .o || o. |+----[SHA256]-----+

Once the keys are created, sign your keys on Elpis https://arcwiki.rs.gsu.edu/en/home/elpis/signing-keys.

Type ssh-keygen and press ↵.

ssh-keygenGenerating public/private ed25519 key pair.Enter file in which to save the key (/home/username/.ssh/id_ed25519):

Enter the full path name to the key. To save the key in the default location: ~/.ssh/id_username

Enter file in which to save the key (/home/username/.ssh/id_ed25519): ~/.ssh/id_username

It will ask for a passphrase. Type in a password that you will use to unlock your key. This will be required every time you use it.
Please note that the terminal will not show characters as you type any password.

Enter passphrase (empty for no passphrase):Enter same passphrase again:

It will then generate your private/public ssh key pair in the location that you specified.

ssh-keygen -t ed25519Generating public/private ed25519 key pair.Enter file in which to save the key (/home/username/.ssh/id_ed25519): ~/.ssh/id_usernameEnter passphrase (empty for no passphrase):Enter same passphrase again:Your identification has been saved in id_username.Your public key has been saved in id_username.pub.The key fingerprint is:SHA256:StringOfRandomCharactersAssociatedWithYourKey username@computernameThe key's randomart image is:+--[ED25519 256]--+| .++==++.E || o.oo++ . || ++*o.+ || o=o+=.. || .*=So= || o+++B.o || .+ooo || . .o || o. |+----[SHA256]-----+

Once the keys are created, sign your keys on Elpis https://arcwiki.rs.gsu.edu/en/home/elpis/signing-keys.