====== Connecting to your expert server with SSH key authentication ======

It is possible to connect to your expert VPS using SSH keyfiles.

It's not always easy to maintain both good password practices and your sanity. SSH keys encrypt the authentication, and can even obviate the need to type a password, unless you want to.

Now, when [[:en:hosting:create-server|creating VPS Server in Expert mode]] (though not with Gandi AI), you can choose from three methods of authentication:

  * password
  * SSH key
  * Both SSH Key and Password

{{ http://www.gandibar.net/public/GandiUS/ssh_key_selection.jpg?nolink& }}

Having provided your public key during the creation of your expert server, you will then be able to log in with the following command (replacing ''123.123.123.123'' with your server's IP):

  ssh root@123.123.123.123

The only requirement for keeping the connection secure is that you maintain the security of the private key file. You can add to this by adding a passphrase to the key when you create it, but that is up to you. 

<note>
It is not possible (at least for the moment) to connect to the emergency console using an SSH key.
</note>

<note warning>
You may choose to connect using a password, an SSH key, or both.

Using the SSH key only, you will be able to connect to your VPS using the root user direclty, then you have to configure the passwords for each user including root (**without root password, if an issue occurs, you won't be able to connect to your VPS using the emergency console**).
</note>

===== See also =====
  * Gandi bar post: [[http://www.gandibar.net/post/2012/03/07/SSH-Key-Authentication-Added-to-Gandi-Cloud-Hosting|SSH Key Authentication Added to Gandi Cloud Hosting]] (7 March 2012)
  * [[en:hosting:gandi-expert:ssh-console]]