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Create and manage key pair

A key pair is essential for authentication when connecting to an instance. It comprises a public key and a private key. You can register and manage key pairs to protect instance access. A public key is stored on your instance, while a private key is stored and managed by user. Anyone with your private key can connect to your instance, therefore keep your private key secure.
The following is to manage key pairs in Virtual Machine(VM):

Public key and private key

CategoryDescription
Public keyA key registered and managed in instances to ensure instance access
- You can check the public key at Virtual Machine > Key Pair menu > [More] icon > View public key.
Private keyA key stored and managed directly by the user to connect to the instance
- Required when connecting to the instance (SSH connection)
- To be downloaded only once upon creation

Create key pair​

Create a new key pair.

  1. Go to KakaoCloud Console > Beyond Compute Service > Virtual Machine.

  2. In the Key Pair menu, click the [Create key pair] button.

  3. Select Create key pair, enter the required information and click the [Create] button.

  4. Once the key pair is created, the private key file({key pair name}.pem) will be downloaded automatically.

    image. Creating a key pair Create key pair

    CategoryDescription
    NameEnter the key pair name
    - e.g. instance-01_01
    - Do not use duplicate key pair names in the same project.
    TypeBoth types consist of a pair of public and private keys
    - SSH: Authentication key used in systems using the SSH protocol
    - X509: SSL/TLS protocol is a public key-based encryption technology that uses digital certificates (coming soon)

Upload existing key​

Upload an existing key pair.

  1. Go to KakaoCloud Console > Beyond Compute Service > Virtual Machine.

  2. In the Key Pair menu, click the [Create key pair] button.

  3. Select Upload existing key as the creation method.

  4. Enter the key information directly in the registration information or upload the key file through the [Upload file] button.

    image. Creating a key pair Upload key pair

    CategoryDescription
    NameEnter the key pair name
    - e.g. instance-01_01
    - Duplicate key pair names within the same project are not allowed.
    TypeBoth types consist of a pair of public and private keys
    - SSH: Authentication key used in systems using the SSH protocol
    - X509: SSL/TLS protocol is a public key-based encryption technology that uses digital certificates (coming soon)
    File informationUpload file: Register the downloaded key file
    - Uploadable extensions: pub, crt, cer, der, pem, p7b, p7c, pfx, p12
    - Enter the contents of the key file into the box directly

Manage key pair​

View key pair list​

You can check the list of key pairs in use and their basic information.

  1. Go to KakaoCloud Console > Beyond Compute Service > Virtual Machine.

  2. Check the key pair currently in use in the Key Pair menu.

    CategoryDescription
    NameKey pair name
    TypeKey pair type
    - SSH: Authentication key used in systems using the SSH protocol
    - X509: Digital certificate used in the SSL/TLS protocol, a public key-based encryption technology (coming soon)
    Associated resourceThe virtual machine instance in the current project associated with that key pair
    CreatedCreation date of key pair
    MoreAdditional functions
    - View fingerprint: Search the fingerprint of the key pair.
    - View public key: Search the public key of the key pair.
    - Delete: Delete the key pair you have created.