Access to your servers works with SSH keys — for security reasons we do not issue default passwords. A key pair consists of a private part that stays with you and a public part that you provide when you order.

Linux and macOS

In the terminal:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519

You are asked for a storage location and a passphrase. A passphrase protects the private key if it falls into the wrong hands — recommended.

This creates two files:

~/.ssh/id_ed25519       ← private key, stays with you
~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub   ← public key, the one you provide

Enter the contents of the .pub file in the order form:

cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

Windows

Current Windows versions come with OpenSSH. In PowerShell:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519
type $env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub

That is the simplest way — you can copy the output directly.

With PuTTY

If you use PuTTY, create the key with PuTTYgen and click Generate.

Do not use the saved .ppk file. PuTTYgen saves in its own format, which does not work in the order form — the server is then unreachable.

Instead, copy the text from the field “Public key for pasting into OpenSSH authorized_keys file” in the upper part of the window. It is a single line and starts with ssh-ed25519 or ssh-rsa.

In addition, save the private key as a .ppk for PuTTY itself and select it there under Connection → SSH → Auth.

What a correct key looks like

ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAAI… max@notebook

One line, starting with the algorithm, then the key and optionally a comment. Several lines, -----BEGIN at the start or a file extension in the field are wrong.

Never pass on the private key — not even to us. We need the public part only.

Where to go next

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