Key Pair: create

  • In the Horizon Dashboard, go to the “Compute → Key Pairs” tab.

  • Click on “Create Key Pair”.

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  • Provide a name for the KeyPair and select the KeyPair type.

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  • The private key will be automatically downloaded. Store this file securely as it will be needed for SSH access.

Warning

  • The download of the private key will be done only when the keypair is created. It will not be possible to re-download it. If you lose the private key you will have to create a new keypair.

  • The public key can be seen in any moment by clicking on the generated Key Pair name.

Best Practices

  • Secure Storage: Store private keys securely. If lost, you won’t be able to access your instances using that KeyPair.

  • Permissions: Ensure private key files have restrictive permissions (chmod 600) to prevent unauthorized access.

  • Rotation: Periodically rotate your KeyPairs and update instances accordingly to maintain security.

  • Backup: Keep backups of your private keys in a secure location to prevent accidental loss.

  • KeyPairs in OpenStack provide a secure and efficient method for managing SSH access to instances. By leveraging public-key cryptography, KeyPairs ensure that only users with the appropriate private key can access the instances, enhancing overall security.