Using SSH keys is the recommended way to access a server because it is more secure than password authentication. An SSH key pair contains:
- Public key — safe to upload to Plesk/VPS
- Private key — stays on your device (never share it)
Generate an SSH key pair
Option A — macOS / Linux
- Open Terminal.
- Run:
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your-email@example.com"
- Press Enter to accept the default path (
~/.ssh/id_ed25519).
- Set a strong passphrase (recommended).
Your public key will be in ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub.
Option B — Windows 10/11 (PowerShell)
- Open PowerShell.
- Run:
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your-email@example.com"
- Save to the default location (usually
C:\Users\<User>\.ssh\).
- Set a passphrase (recommended).
The public key is the file ending with .pub.
Option C — Windows (PuTTYgen)
- If you use PuTTY, you can generate keys with PuTTYgen and export a private key in
.ppk format.
Add the public key
Add the key to GARMTECH Hosting (Plesk)
- Log in to Plesk (open from My.GARMTECH).
- Open the section for SSH access / SSH Keys (location may vary by hosting plan).
- Paste the contents of your
.pub file and save.
Add the key to a Linux VPS
- Connect to the VPS (initially you may use a password).
- Add your public key to the user’s
~/.ssh/authorized_keys file.
- Ensure permissions are correct:
chmod 700 ~/.ssh
chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
Connect via SSH
Use the correct username and host:
- Hosting: use the server hostname and SSH username from your service details in My.GARMTECH/Plesk.
- VPS: use the VPS IP address and the Linux user (often
root for initial access).
Example command:
ssh username@server-hostname
Troubleshooting