How to Generate and Use SSH Keys on Windows Using PowerShell and Connect to a Linux Server

This tutorial will guide you through generating SSH keys on Windows using PowerShell, saving them to a custom folder, and using them to securely connect to a Linux system with a specified port.

Step 1: Open PowerShell (Windows)

• Press Win + X.

• Select `Terminal` from the menu.

Step 2: Generate the SSH Key Pair

Use the `ssh-keygen` command to generate an SSH key pair. Replace `your_email@example.com` with your email address and adjust the `file path` as needed.

Windows (PowerShell)

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your_email@example.com" -f "C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop\CustomFolder\my_ssh_key"

Step 3: Set a Passphrase (Optional)

You can set a passphrase for added security when prompted. This step is optional but recommended.

Step 4: Locate Your Generated Keys

The generated keys will be saved in the specified folder:

• my_ssh_key (private key)

• my_ssh_key.pub (public key)

Step 5: Copy Your Public Key to the Linux System

Copy the Public Key Content

Use the `Get-Content` command to read and copy the public key content to the clipboard using `Set-Clipboard`.

Windows (PowerShell)

Get-Content "C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop\CustomFolder\my_ssh_key.pub" | Set-Clipboard

SSH into Your Linux System

Open PowerShell and connect to your Linux system using SSH. Replace `username`, `server_ip_address`, and `port_number` with your server's details.

Windows (PowerShell)

ssh -p port_number username@server_ip_address

Create `.ssh` Directory (if it doesn't exist)

On your Linux system, ensure that the `.ssh` directory exists by running the following command. This command creates the directory if it doesn't already exist (`-p` ensures any necessary parent directories are created).

Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)

mkdir -p ~/.ssh

Open/Create the `authorized_keys` File

Use a text editor like `nano` or `vim` to open or create the `authorized_keys` file:

Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)

nano ~/.ssh/authorized_keys

Paste the Public Key

Paste the copied public key into the `authorized_keys` file. To paste in `nano`, `right-click` or use `Shift + Insert`.

Save the Public Key

Save and exit the editor. In `nano`, you can do this by pressing `Ctrl + X`, then `Y` to confirm changes, and `Enter` to exit.

Set Correct Permissions

Ensure the correct permissions are set for the `.ssh` directory and `authorized_keys` file:

Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)

chmod 700 ~/.ssh

chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys

Step 6: Restart the SSH Service

Apply the changes by restarting the SSH service on your Linux system:

Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)

sudo systemctl restart sshd

Step 7: Configure SSH Client on Windows to Use the Private Key

Use the `-i` option with the `ssh` command to specify the private key when connecting to the Linux system.

Windows (PowerShell)

ssh -i "C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop\CustomFolder\my_ssh_key" -p port_number username@server_ip_address

Replace `username` with your server username, `server_ip_address` with the server's IP address or hostname, and `port_number` with the port number your SSH server is using.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you will successfully generate SSH keys, copy the public key to your Linux system, and configure your SSH client to use the private key for secure connections, specifying the port number each time.

Published: June 22, 2024

Have a question or suggestion? Want to request a tutorial or simply leave me a message? I'd love to hear from you! Join our community on Discord for exclusive content, engaging discussions, and more. Thank you! 🌟