Generate/SecureFXsysicon.jpg  Configure a VanDyke Software VShell® Server to Recognize Your Public Key File


Using SecureFX-Generated Public Keys with VShell for Windows

In order to use your public key, you must transfer the Identity.pub (or whatever name you chose) file created by the Key Generation wizard to the individual user's folder under the Publickey folder on the VShell server [A computer program that provides services to other computer programs (called clients).Often the computer on which a server program runs is also called a server. The term host is often used as a synonym for server.] . For example:

C:\Program files\VShell\Publickey\%User%\Identity.pub

If you are using VShell version 2.1 or newer, you can use the SecureFX public-key assistant to upload your public key for you without knowing the exact location of the server's public-key folder. Follow these steps.

1.   In SecureFX, create an SFTP session that  uses public key as one of its authentication [The process of verifying that an individual truly is who he or she claims to be. Supplying a password is a very common method of authentication.] methods.

2.   In the Session Option/Connection/SSH2 dialog, select PublicKey as in the Authentication group and click on the Properties button.

3.   If you have not created a public-private key pair [A pair of keys used with RSA or DSA authentication. The public key is usually kept in a file named Identity.pub, which is then transferred to the remote SSH server. Another file usually named Identity contains both the public key and the corresponding private key. This file is kept on the local machine and is used by SecureFX with public key or RSA authentication methods.] , do it now using the Create Identity File button.

4.   If you have a key, make sure it appears in the Use identity file window.

5.   Once the correct key file is displayed in the Use identity file window, click on the Upload button.

6.   Enter your username and password when prompted by the remote system.  The key will automatically be installed by the server.

If you are not using VShell version 2.1 or newer, follow these instructions to copy and paste your identity file in the Publickey folder on the remote machine.

Using SecureFX-Generated Public Keys with VShell for Linux

In order to use your public key, you must transfer the Identity.pub (or whatever name you chose) file created by the Key Generation wizard to the individual user's .vshell/publickey directory. For example:

/home/someuser/.vshell/publickey/Identity.pub

or

~someuser/.vshell/publickey/Identity.pub

You can use the SecureFX public-key assistant to upload your public key for you without having to copy the identity file by hand. Follow these steps:

1.   Using SecureFX, connect to the remote server using either an SFTP or FTP session.

2.   Navigate to your home directory (see above) on the remote system.

3.   Locate the public keys on the local machine.

4.   Using drag-and-drop, transfer Identity.pub file to the remote system.

5.   Ensure that the transfer is made in ASCII (text).

If you are not able to use the public-key assistant, follow these instructions to copy and paste your identity file in the Publickey folder on the remote machine.

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