PuTTY
Table of Contents
PuTTY is a client program for the SSH on Windows OS.
We recommend downloading Windows Installer with PuTTY utilities as:
- Pageant (SSH authentication agent) - store the private key in memory without the need to retype a passphrase on every login
- PuTTYgen (PuTTY key generator) - convert OpenSSH format of id_rsa to PuTTY ppk private key and so on
- Run PuTTY and enter Host name in format “login@Floating IP address” where login is for example debian for Debian OS and Floating IP is IP address to access instance from internet.
- In Category -> Connection -> SSH -> Auth:
- Select Attempt authentication using Pageant
- Select Allow agent forwarding
- Browse and select your private key file (if needed convert OpenSSH format id_rsa to Putty ppk)
- Return to Session page and Save selected configuration with Save button
- Now you can log in using Open button
- Enter passphrase for selected private key file if Pageant SSH authentication agent is not used
- We recommend using Pageant SSH Agent to store the private key in memory without the need to retype a passphrase on every login
- Run Pageant from Windows menu
- Locate Pageant icon in the Notification Area and double click on it
- Use Add Key button
- Browse files and select your PuTTY Private Key File in format ppk
- Use Open button
- Enter the passphrase and confirm OK button
- Your private key is now located in the memory without the need to retype a passphrase on every login
PuTTYgen is the PuTTY key generator. You can load in an existing private key and change your passphrase or generate a new public/private key pair or convert to/from OpenSSH/PuTTY ppk formats.
- Run PuTTYgen, in the menu Conversion -> Import key browse and load your OpenSSH format id_rsa private key using your passphrase
- Save PuTTY ppk private key using button Save private key, browse destination for PuTTY format id_rsa.ppk, and save file
- Run PuTTYgen, in the menu File -> Load private key browse and open your private key in format PuTTY ppk using your passphrase
- In the menu Conversion -> Export OpenSSH key browse destination for OpenSSH format id_rsa and save file
- Load your existing private key using button Load, confirm opening using your passphrase
- Enter a new passphrase in the field Key passphrase and confirm again in the field Confirm passphrase
- Save changes using button Save private key
- Start with Generate button
- Generate some randomness by moving your mouse over the dialog
- Wait while the key is generated
- Enter a comment for your key using “your-email@address”
- Enter a key passphrase, confirm the key passphrase
- Save your new private key in the “id_rsa.ppk” format using the Save private key button
- Save the public key with the Save public key button
