CloudRay’s provides a secure way to store and manage your SSH keys for authenticating with your remote servers. SSH keys are pairs of cryptographic keys (a public key and a private key) that offer a more secure alternative to password-based authentication.

Understanding SSH Keys and Server Keys in CloudRay

  • SSH Keys: These are the actual cryptographic key pairs (public and private) used for secure authentication.
  • Server Key (in CloudRay): This is a resource within CloudRay where you store the private portion of your SSH key along with a name for easy reference.

Creating a Server Key in CloudRay

  1. Generate Your SSH Key Pair: If you don’t already have one, generate an SSH key pair using a tool like ssh-keygen on your local machine or the key generation feature of your cloud provider. Remember to keep the private key secure.

  2. Navigate to “Server Keys”: Click on the “Server Keys” tab in CloudRay’s main navigation.

  3. Click “Add Server Key”: Start the process of adding your SSH key.

  4. Enter Details:

    • Name: Provide a descriptive name for your key (e.g., “My AWS Server Key”).
    • Private SSH Key: Paste the contents of your private SSH key (the file usually ending in .pem or .ppk) into this field.

  5. Save Server Key: Click “Save Server Key” to store your SSH key securely within CloudRay.

Using Server Keys with Your Servers

  1. Go to “Servers”: Navigate to the “Servers” tab.
  2. Edit Server: Click “Edit” on the server you want to associate with a key.
  3. Choose Authentication Method: Under “Authentication,” select “SSH Key.”
  4. Select Server Key: Choose the server key you want to use from the dropdown menu.
  5. Save Server: Click “Save Server” to update the server configuration.

Important Notes:

  • Security: CloudRay encrypts all stored SSH keys to ensure their confidentiality.
  • Key Management: Keep your original private keys secure and avoid sharing them. If a key is compromised, remove it from CloudRay immediately and generate a new one.
  • Troubleshooting: If you have trouble connecting using a server key, double-check the following:
    • The public key is correctly installed on your server.
    • The private key you entered in CloudRay matches the public key on the server.
    • Your server’s firewall allows SSH connections from CloudRay.