Generate a Key Pair with OpenSSH

You can generate a secure shell (SSH) key pair for an Oracle Java Cloud Service instance on a UNIX or UNIX-like platform by using the ssh-keygen utility.

1. From your computer, run the ssh-keygen utility.

   Specify a filename for the private key. Also specify the RSA type and a size of 2048.

   The command format is: ssh-keygen -b 2048 -t rsa -f filename

   For example: ssh-keygen -b 2048 -t rsa -f mykey

2. When prompted, enter a passphrase for the private key, or press Enter to create a private key without a passphrase.

   Enter passphrase (empty for no passphrase): YourPassphrase

   Note:

   While a passphrase is not required, Oracle recommends using 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.

3. If you provided a passphrase, enter it a second time when prompted.

   Enter the same passphrase again: YourPassphrase

The ssh-keygen utility creates two files:

• filename - The private key

• filename.pub - The public key