Manage SSH Keys

SSH Access

Connect to your virtual machines using SSH. You can either specify a new SSH key or select an existing key when creating a VM cloudspace.

Adding an SSH Key

Step 1: Generate a Key (if needed)

Open a terminal and run:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your-email@example.com"

Press Enter to accept the default location (~/.ssh/id_ed25519).

Step 2: Copy Your Public Key

cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

Copy the entire output, which looks like:

ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAA... your-email@example.com

Step 3: Add to Dashboard

1. Navigate to SSH Keys in the sidebar or in the Create VM Cloudspace menu

2. Click Add SSH Key

3. Enter a name (e.g., my-ssh-key)

   1. SSH Key names must be kebab-case this-is-kebab-case

4. Paste your public key

5. Click Add Key

Connecting to a VM

Find Your VM's IP Address

1. Go to your VM Cloudspace Overview page
2. Locate the Virtual Machines section
3. Find the IP address for your VM under "Public IP Address" section of overview

Connect via SSH

Use the SSH command shown on the VM card:

ssh ubuntu@<vm-ip-address>

Example:

ssh ubuntu@203.0.113.42

First Connection

On your first connection, you'll see a fingerprint verification prompt:

The authenticity of host '203.0.113.42' can't be established.

ED25519 key fingerprint is SHA256:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)?

Type yes to continue.

Default Usernames

Using a Specific Key

If you have multiple SSH keys, specify which one to use:

ssh -i ~/.ssh/my-key ubuntu@<vm-ip-address>

SSH Config (Optional)

Simplify connections by adding an entry to ~/.ssh/config:

Host my-vm

    HostName 203.0.113.42

    User ubuntu

    IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_ed25519

Then connect with:

ssh my-vm

Troubleshooting

Permission Denied

Cause: Wrong SSH key or key not added to Rackspace Spot.

Fix:

1. Verify the correct key is uploaded in SSH Keys
2. Use -i to specify the correct private key
3. Check file permissions: chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_ed25519

Connection Timeout

Cause: VM not ready or network issue.

Fix:

1. Check VM status on the Overview page (should show an IP address)
2. Wait for VM to finish provisioning
3. Verify your network allows outbound SSH (port 22)

Host Key Verification Failed

Cause: VM was recreated with a new host key.

Fix:

ssh-keygen -R <vm-ip-address>

Then reconnect.

Security Best Practices

Next Steps

• Overview - Introduction to Spot VMs
• Manage and Scale VMs - Learn how to scale and monitor your VMs