Create SSH Key

This guide explains how to create an SSH key in CloudRaya.

SSH keys can be generated automatically by the system or imported from an existing public key.

You can create SSH keys during VM creation or from the SSH Key management page.

Before You Begin

Before creating an SSH key, make sure that:

• You have access to the CloudRaya Control Panel
• You are working inside the correct Project
• You understand that:
  • Private keys are not stored by CloudRaya
  • Only ssh-rsa key type is supported

If you are new to SSH keys, see:

📄 SSH Key Overview

Option 1: Create SSH Key During VM Creation

This is the most common workflow.

Steps

1. Open Dashboard → Virtual Machine
2. Click Add Virtual Machine
3. Proceed through the VM setup until Step 5: SSH Key
4. From the SSH Key dropdown:
   • Select an existing SSH key, or
   • Click Add SSH Key

This opens the Add SSH Key dialog.

Option 2: Create SSH Key from SSH Key Page

You can also create SSH keys independently.

Steps

1. Open Dashboard → Network → SSH Key
2. Click + Add SSH Key
3. The Add SSH Key dialog appears

This method is useful if you want to prepare keys before deploying VMs.

Add SSH Key Dialog Explained

When creating an SSH key, you must configure the following fields.

SSH Name

• A label to identify the SSH key
• Used only for management purposes
• Example:
  • ssh-dev-laptop
  • ssh-production-admin

SSH Key Method

You can choose one of two methods:

Method A: Generate SSH Key Automatically

CloudRaya generates a new SSH key pair for you.

Steps

1. Click Generate SSH Key
2. Click Save
3. A confirmation dialog appears
4. Click Download Key

A file will be downloaded to your local device.

What Is Downloaded?

The downloaded file contains the private key, for example:

-----BEGIN OPENSSHPRIVATEKEY-----
MIIEvQIBADANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAASCBKcwggSjAgEAAoIBAQ...
-----END OPENSSHPRIVATEKEY-----

Important Notes

• This file is your private key
• Store it securely on your device
• CloudRaya will not show this private key again
• Losing this file means losing SSH access

This private key is used later when connecting to the VM from your local device.

Method B: Import Existing SSH Public Key

Use this method if you already have an SSH key pair.

Steps

1. Select Import SSH Key
2. Enter:
   • SSH Name
   • Public Key
3. Click Save

What Is a Public Key?

A public key usually looks like this:

ssh-rsa AAAAB3NzaC1yc2EAAAADAQABAAABAQ...

This key is typically found in files such as:

• ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
• ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub (⚠ not supported)

Only ssh-rsa public keys are supported.

Notes for Imported Keys

• CloudRaya stores only the public key
• The private key remains on your device
• Make sure you still have access to the private key file

After SSH Key Is Created

Once created:

• The SSH key appears in the SSH Key list
• You can:
  • Select it during VM creation
  • Reuse it across multiple Linux VMs
  • View or copy the public key

Viewing the Public Key

From Dashboard → Network → SSH Key:

1. Locate the SSH key
2. Click View
3. The public key is displayed
4. Click Copy Public Key if needed

The public key is typically used for:

• Manual server configuration
• Auditing or verification
• External access management

Deleting an SSH Key

You can delete an SSH key at any time.

Important behavior:

• Deleting an SSH key:
  • Does not delete any Virtual Machines
  • Does not remove access from already-created VMs
• SSH keys only affect new VM deployments

Common Scenarios

You may want to create SSH keys when:

• Setting up Linux servers
• Managing multiple environments (dev / prod)
• Automating deployment workflows
• Improving VM access security

Next Steps

• Learn how to use the private key to log in from your local device
  📄 Connect to Virtual Machine Using SSH Key

• View, reuse, or delete SSH keys
  📄 Manage SSH Key