Generating an SSH key pair using PuTTY

1. Start PuTTYgen by clicking Start > Programs > PuTTY > PuTTYgen. The PuTTY Key Generator panel is displayed.
2. Click SSH-2 RSA as the type of key to generate.

Note: Leave the number of bits in a generated key value at 1024.

3. Click Generate and then move the cursor around the blank area of the Key section to generate the random characters that create a unique key. When the key has been completely generated, the information about the new key is displayed in the Key section.Attention: Do not modify the Key fingerprint or the Key comment fields; this can cause your key to no longer be valid.

4. (Optional) Enter a passphrase in the Key passphrase and Confirm passphrase fields. The passphrase encrypts the key on the disk; therefore, it is not possible to use the key without first entering the passphrase.
5. Save the public key by performing the following steps:
1. Click Save public key. You are prompted for the name and location of the public key.
2. Type icat.pub as the name of the public key and specify the location where you want to save the public key. For example, you can create a directory on your computer called keys to store both the public and private keys.
3. Click Save.
6. Save the private key by performing the following steps:
1. Click Save private key. The PuTTYgen Warning panel is displayed.
2. Click Yes to save the private key without a passphrase.
3. Type icat as the name of the private key, and specify the location where you want to save the private key. For example, you can create a directory on your computer called keys to store both the public and private keys. It is recommended that you save your public and private keys in the same location.
4. Click Save.
7. Close the PuTTY Key Generator window.