How to Generate and Use Public-Key Authentication with Mountain Duck for Windows Key

When setting up public-key authentication with Mountain Duck, you'll need to generate a pair of keys using the `ssh-keygen` command in your Terminal or console. The new OpenSSH format (`openssh-key-v1`) is only supported for ecdsa and ed25519 algorithms, while OpenSSH private keys of type rsa, dsa, ecdsa, and ed25519 (in OpenSSL PEM format) are also supported.

To generate the keys, open your Terminal or console and run the command `ssh-keygen`. You will be prompted to choose a location for your keys; you can accept the default directory `~/.ssh` or specify a different one. Once generated, the public key should be placed on the server you wish to access by the system administrator when your account is set up.

Public-key authentication uses two keys: a private key that only you have and should be kept in a secure place, and a public key that is used for authentication. This method allows you to connect to a remote server without sending your password over the Internet.

When opening a new connection using File → Open Connection..., IdentityFile and User parameters in the OpenSSH user config file are auto-completed. Additionally, bookmarks will update their public key authentication setting from the IdentityFile configuration in `~/.ssh/config`.

Mountain Duck also supports several other options for public-key authentication, including:

* `PreferredAuthentications` to limit the authentication methods tried during login

* `ProxyJump` to connect via SSH tunnel through a bastion server

* `IdentityAgent` and `IdentityFile` for public key authentication

To configure these options, you can use the following commands in your `~/.ssh/config` file:

* `IdentityAgent`: specifies the UNIX-domain socket used to communicate with the authentication agent

* `PreferredAuthentications`: limits the authentication methods tried during login

* `ProxyJump`: connects via SSH tunnel through a bastion server

By using public-key authentication with Mountain Duck, you can securely connect to remote servers without exposing your password over the Internet.

Mountain duck for windows key