SSH Access - Generating a Public/Private Key Using a Public/Private key to authenticate when logging into SSH can provide added convenience or added security. The Public/Private key can be used in place of a password so…

SSH Access - Generating a Public/Private Key

Last updated: April 2026
Reading time: ~2 min
Audience: Boxis customers and administrators.

What you'll accomplish

Complete the configuration or task described in this guide for your Boxis service.

Prerequisites

Access to the interface, device, or server described below.
Information or credentials you received from Boxis (contract, welcome e-mail, or client area).

Note Boxis: Offers and screens may differ slightly depending on your product. When in doubt, open a support ticket with your service reference.

SSH Access - Generating a Public/Private Key

Using a Public/Private key to authenticate when logging into SSH can provide added convenience or added security. The Public/Private key can be used in place of a password so that no username/password is required to connect to the server via SSH. Instead the unique public and private key provide the secure authentication. It is advised that the key uses a different password from your cPanel password.

Generating the Key

Login to your cPanel
Choose SSH / Shell Access, in the Security section.
Click Manage SSH Keys
Choose to Generate a new Key
Enter a new Key password.
Choose DSA or RSA for the type. It is recommend that you choose RSA.
Choose a Key size, it is recommend to use 2048 or higher.
Click Generate Key
Click the Go Back button.

Authorize the Key

Authorizing the key will add the public key to the authorized_keys file.

Click Manage Authorization
Click the Authorize button for your newly created key.
Click Go Back to return to the main page.

Private Key

The private key needs to be stored on your local computer.

To the right of your private key, click View/Download.
Click the Download Key button to download the private key.

If on Linux or Mac OS copy the id_dsa file to your ~/.ssh folder.
On Windows you will want to move it some place safe.

Using your new key

Windows

For Windows please see Using SSH on Windows (PuTTY)

Linux or Mac OS

ssh username@IP

Enter passphrase for key '~/.ssh/id_dsa':After entering the passphrase you will be connected to the server.

Expected result

The product behaves as described in each step (connectivity, message, or UI state).

If something goes wrong

Repeat the step and check for typos (hostnames, passwords, ports).
Note the exact error message or screenshot.
Open a ticket in the Boxis client area with the service name, time of the test, and any trace (e.g. traceroute) if it is a network issue.