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This article explains how to generate an Secure Shell (SSH) Key-Pair, the requirements for connecting to a university-owned SSH Gateway server externally, and how to upload an SSH Key to your university account.
Table of Contents
Overview of the changes
From the 23rd September 2024, remote access to University SSH Gateways will require an SSH Key for authentication (in addition to your university username / password)
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Overview of SSH Keys
An SSH key is a secure access credential used in the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol.
To know more about SSH Keys and how they work, please read the article SSH Keys explained: generation, authentication, Key Pair info and more (external source).
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Generating an SSH Key-Pair
The instructions below are intended to help you set one up:
Instructions for Linux, Apple macOS, and Windows
You can generate an SSH Key-Pair by running ssh-keygen -t ed25519 from a terminal on Linux, Mac and Windows.
This results in two files being created in your home directory (typically named id_ed25519 and id_ed25519.pub), as shown in the screenshot below:
* When run without the '-t ed25519' option, typically a 2048-bit RSA Key is generated - this is considered less modern / secure and should only be created if required for legacy support reasons.
We strongly recommend you supply a passphrase of 12 or more characters when prompted; this helps to keep your account secure if your SSH key ends up in the wrong hands, e.g. if your device is stolen.
Traditional configuration vs iSolutions' configuration
Traditionally, public keys (id_ed25519.pub/id_rsa.pub) are pasted into the AuthorizedKeys file in the .ssh directory in your userhome on a remote system you wish to access.
iSolutions systems, however, are configured to retrieve them from your university account instead. As such, you will need to upload your public key to your account using Subscribe Self-service - please read the section "Linking your public key to your university account".
It's important you keep your private key safe by:
- Saving it in a folder only you have access to
- Not sharing it with anyone
- Not storing it on shared systems.
Alternative Windows Instructions
If using an older version of Windows without the ssh-keygen tool, you can install the Putty program for creating your keypair.
You can download it
- Through the Software Center icon on your desktop, if you are using a university-owned computer
- Through the University of Southampton Software Download Service
Instructions:
1. Check the EdDSA Key-Type
2. Select the Ed25519 (255 bits) option from the drop-down menu
3. Select Generate, and move the mouse around as instructed:
4. Enter a passphrase (at least 12 characters recommended)
5. Enter the passphrase again in the confirm passphrase box
6. Optional: Enter a comment, typically <your username>@<your device-name>
7. Save both your private and public key files:
It's important you keep your private key safe by:
- Saving it in a folder only you have access to
- Not sharing it with anyone
- Not storing it on shared systems.
What to do in case of a lost / leaked key
If you have any reason to believe you may have lost or leaked your private key, please remove the corresponding public key from your account in Subscribe or contact ServiceLine for assistance.
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Linking your public key to your university account
1. You can upload an SSH Key to your university account through Subscribe as follow:
- Logging in to Subscribe – SSH Access
or - Logging in to Subscribe Self-service and navigating to:
- Your other computational services
- View your SSH access
2. You will then be presented with the following screen, where you can upload your public SSH Key:
3. Once uploaded, your public key will appear on this page with the option of adding additional keys (most people will only require one however):
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Connecting to SSH Gateway Servers Externally
Overview
To access one You will need to authenticate with an SSH Key in addition to entering your username and password when connecting directly to university SSH Gateway servers from outside the university network.
Connecting from inside the university network (or when connected to the university Virtual Private Network) will continue to behave in the usual way, accepting either:
- A Username + SSH Key
or - Username + Password.
This change is being made to bring the SSH Gateway servers in line with other external university systems, already requiring MFA to log in.
If you believe this could disrupt your workflow, please contact ServiceLine for assistance.
Affected Systems
• ssh.soton.ac.uk
• stafflogin.ecs.soton.ac.uk
• uglogin.ecs.soton.ac.uk
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