FlashPanel

Manage Global SSH Keys ​

Global SSH Keys are SSH keys attached to your account. They are installed automatically on every new server you create, for both root and flashpanel. System users you create later on a server also get the global keys already on that server.

New to SSH keys?

This page covers managing keys in FlashPanel. To learn what an SSH key is, which file goes with which app, and how to log in to your server step by step, see SSH keys: create one and log in to your server.

Automatically created key ​

When you create a server and your account has no global SSH key yet (usually your first server), FlashPanel creates an ED25519 SSH key for you:

  1. The key is saved with the name FlashPanel - [email protected].
  2. You receive the email "Your SSH Key has been generated at FlashPanel" with 3 attachments:
    • OpenSSH private key (no extension): for the ssh command on macOS, Linux, Windows
    • PuTTY private key (.ppk): for PuTTY, WinSCP, FileZilla
    • Public key (.pub)
  3. The key is installed on that server and every server you create later.

File names come from the key name: lowercase, with -, @, . and spaces replaced by _. For example, the key for [email protected] comes as flash_panel_an_gmail_com, flash_panel_an_gmail_com.ppk and flash_panel_an_gmail_com.pub.

Save the attachments right away

FlashPanel does not keep private keys. This email is the only copy. Download all 3 files and keep them somewhere safe. If you lose the email, add a new key and update it to your servers.

Next: log in to your server with this key.

Open the management page ​

Open the SSH Keys page from the account menu of the dashboard.

The page lists your global SSH keys:

  • Name: a label for the key
  • Fingerprint: the key's fingerprint, useful to tell keys apart
  • Date Created: when the key was added

Add a new SSH key ​

  1. Click Add SSH Key at the top right of the list. The Add SSH Key dialog opens.

  2. Choose one of two ways:

    Option 1: Let FlashPanel create the key (easiest)

    1. Click Generate SSH Key at the top right of the dialog. FlashPanel fills in the Name and Public key.
    2. Click the OpenSSH Key, PuTTY Key and Public Key buttons in the yellow warning box one by one to download the 3 files.

    Option 2: Use a key you already have

    • Name: a label, e.g. "Personal laptop", "Work computer"
    • Public key: paste the public key, starting with ssh-ed25519 AAAA... or ssh-rsa AAAA.... See how to create a key yourself.

  3. Click Add SSH Key to save.

WARNING

  • With Option 1, the private key is shown only once. If you close the dialog without downloading it, you need to generate another key.
  • A new key is only installed automatically on servers you create later. For existing servers, continue with Update to servers.

Update SSH keys to existing servers ​

  1. In the list, click Update to servers on the key's row.
  2. The dialog lists your servers. Servers that already have this key are checked.
  3. Check the servers that should get the key, then click Submit.

The key is installed for root and every system user on the selected servers. While this runs, the buttons for this key are disabled until it finishes.

Unchecking removes the key

If you uncheck a server that has the key and click Submit, the key is removed from that server. Make sure you have another way to log in.

Delete an SSH key ​

Click the three vertical dots (⋮) at the end of the key's row, then choose:

  • Delete SSH Key: removes the key from your global list only. The key stays on servers where it is installed, and is no longer added to new servers.
  • Delete and Remove From Servers: removes the key from the list and from every server. The confirmation dialog is titled Delete Key From Everywhere.

Confirm in the dialog to finish.

If you delete all your global SSH keys, the next time you create a server FlashPanel will create a new key and email you the private key.