Creating SSH Keypair Under Windows and Using to Login to HPC1

Create SSH Keypair Under Windows
Activate Pageant
SSH Into HPC1
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Create SSH Keypair Under Windows

You need to download the most recent version of PuTTY, Pageant and Puttygen.

First, you need these programs:

• Start puttygen.exe

• Select the type of key you want (ssh2 dsa is recommended)

• Click on Generate

** Please Note the instructions tell you to move the mouse over the window

in order to create randomness while the key is generating.

• Enter a key passphrase (remember, all users MUST USE a passphrase)
• Confirm the passphrase
• Highlight the contents of the "Public key for pasting into OpenSSH authorized_keys2 file :” and copy it to your clipboard by hitting Ctrl+C
• Email this Public Key to itdhelp@bnl.gov with the subject line: Deploy public key on hpc1.csc.bnl.gov cluster

You MUST save your Private Key. If you don't save the key or you lose it, the associated Public Key will not work:

- Click on "Save Private Key”

• Choose a name for the Private Key and click save.

• You should always save your Public Key.



Activate Pageant

• Now start pageant. You should see a little icon in your system tray (next to the clock).

 

Double click the pageant icon and enter your passphrase when asked.

 

or 

 

Click on "Add Key"

In the dialog box choose your private key and click open.

Enter your passphrase from the earlier step.

If you did it right, your key should now appear in the key list.

 

Once you receive email that your public key has been deployed on hpc1, you should test it to ensure it is working correctly.

SSH Into HPC1

- Now test your key:

Start PuTTY and enter hpc1.csc.bnl.gov



Click on the SSH tab on the right hand side and configure as follows:



Select the Auth tab under SSH and browse for the Private key that you saved.



Select Session, enter a name for this session in the Saved Sessions box and press Save.

Now it is time to test the connection.

You should only have to enter your username, and the pageant process should take over, and log you in automatically.

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