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# Transferring keys to Remote Server from Windows

### <mark style="color:blue;">Public key location on Windows</mark>

* Typically, the public key file (ragnar.pub) should be located in the same directory as the private key file (ragnar.pem) on your Windows terminal.
* The default location for SSH keys on Windows is "C:\Users\<username>.ssh".
* In your case, the public key is correctly located at "C:\Users\Tim Hannon.ssh\ragnar.pub".

#### <mark style="color:green;">Copying the public key to the Ubuntu server</mark>

* To enable SSH key-based authentication, you need to copy the public key from your Windows terminal to the Ubuntu server.
* On your Windows terminal, open the Command Prompt or PowerShell and navigate to the directory where your SSH keys are located:

```powershell
C:\Users\Tim Hannon\.ssh\
```

* Use the `scp` command to securely copy the public key file to the Ubuntu server:

```bash
scp ragnar.pub ragnar@192.168.68.61:~/.ssh/authorized_keys
```

This command copies the "ragnar.pub" file to the Ubuntu server's "\~/.ssh/authorized\_keys" file. Replace "ragnar" with the appropriate username on the Ubuntu server if it differs.

* You will be prompted to enter the password for the "ragnar" user on the Ubuntu server.

#### <mark style="color:green;">How SSH key-based authentication works</mark>

* SSH key-based authentication provides a secure way to log in to a remote server without using a password.
* When you generate an SSH key pair, it creates two files: a private key and a public key.
* The private key (ragnar.pem) stays on your local machine (Windows terminal) and should be kept secure. It acts as a secret key that proves your identity.
* The public key (ragnar.pub) is meant to be uploaded to the remote server (Ubuntu server) you want to access.
* When you attempt to log in to the Ubuntu server using SSH, your local machine presents the private key to the server.
* The Ubuntu server checks if the corresponding public key exists in the "\~/.ssh/authorized\_keys" file on the server.
* If the public key matches the private key you are using, the server grants you access without requiring a password.

To connect to the Ubuntu server using SSH key-based authentication, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt or PowerShell on your Windows terminal.
2. Navigate to the directory where your private key file (ragnar.pem) is located:

```
cd C:\Users\Tim Hannon\.ssh\
```

Use the `ssh` command to connect to the Ubuntu server:

```bash
ssh -i ragnar.pem ragnar@192.168.68.61
```

This command specifies the private key file to use for authentication.

1. If the SSH key-based authentication is set up correctly, you should be logged in to the Ubuntu server without being prompted for a password.

Remember to keep your private key file secure and do not share it with anyone. If you need to set up SSH key-based authentication for multiple servers, you can copy the same public key to each server's "\~/.ssh/authorized\_keys" file.


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