It is recommended you add an SSH key pair so you can use it to log into your VMs instead of a password. This key pair can also be used to access private Github or git repositories.

Once you have the keys set up in Morpheus, you can arrange for them to be added to new VMs when they are provisioned (last step below) - note that updating these keys or adding them to existing machines needs to be done manually.

To use the keys for passwordless login, please look at one of the many guides on the Internet for your ssh client (examples below) but note you may need to transform key format in some cases.

• openssh (standard command line tool for Linux and Mac) - https://serverpilot.io/docs/how-to-use-ssh-public-key-authentication/
• PuTTY - https://system.cs.kuleuven.be/cs/system/security/ssh/setupkeys/putty-with-key.html
• mobaxterm - https://cinhtau.net/2016/02/03/use-ssh-keys-for-authentication-with-mobaxterm/

Creating the keys

You will need to create a key pair if you don't have an existing key pair already.  If you do, then see below.

From a Linux or Mac, you may generate it with the command (follow the instructions it prompts you with):

ssh-keygen -m pem -t rsa

This creates a key pair in "PEM" format, as required by Morpheus, using the RSA algorithm (elliptic curves seem not to be supported yet).

Converting existing keys

Note that it's often good practice to use different credentials for different services, so you may want to create a new key pair instead of reusing existing ones.

However, if you do want to reuse existing keys, they're probably in OpenSSH format, and Morpheus wants PEM (RSA) format.  Take a copy first, as the conversion process overwrites the original, then run ssh-keygen -p -m pem -f /path/to/key_to_be_converted_and_overwritten.

For non-OpenSSH formats or clients, please search for an appropriate conversion mechanism or contact EWC support for help.

Adding the keys in Morpheus

1. Go to Infrastructure -> Trust -> Key Pairs.
2. Click the  + ADD button 
      

3. As options you can select alternatively:

   • select "Existing Key Pair" if you you have already your keys pairs 

   or

   • select "Generate Key Pair" if you want to let Morpheus to generate a key pair (private and public keys) for you. In this case save the generated private key.
   • 
4. When importing an "Existing Key Pair" the following screen should appear:
   
5. Give a meaningful name to the key, such as your username.
6. You can leave the public key field blank - Morpheus will fill this automatically by (re)generating it from the private key.

7. Browse for the private key, or paste its contents. For OpenSSH, it should normally be stored in:

   ~/.ssh/id_rsa

   
   

8. If your private key requires a passphrase, add it into the relevant text box.
9. Save changes

Updating User Settings

Now that your keys are added into Morpheus, you may also configure your user profile so the keys are injected automatically into every new VM you provision when your Linux user is created. See Setting up your User Settings for more information.

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