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Asked: 2024-09-25T05:49:45+05:30

Is it necessary for an SSH key to be labeled as id_rsa, or can it have a different name?

I’ve been diving into the world of SSH keys lately, trying to get a grip on how they work and why they’re so important for secure connections. One thing that keeps popping up in my research and discussions is the naming convention for these keys. Like, is it really necessary for an SSH key to be labeled as id_rsa, or can we just call it whatever we want?

I came across this one tech blog that insisted on the “id_rsa” naming convention, claiming that it’s the standard that most systems recognize. But that got me thinking—what if I have multiple keys for different servers or projects? It feels a bit cumbersome to have them all named “id_rsa” or even “id_rsa.pub” for the public key. Isn’t there a way to name them that makes it easier to remember which key goes with which purpose?

I mean, I sometimes work on several projects at the same time, each requiring its own SSH access. If I end up with a bunch of keys named the same, it could definitely turn into a mess! Plus, I’ve heard that if you name your keys something else, you might need to specify the key when connecting to the server. Is that true? What’s the best practice here?

I guess I just want to know if naming my SSH keys differently would cause any issues down the line or if it’s pretty much a free-for-all. Have any of you tried this? If I named my key something like “my_project_key” or “dev_server_key,” would that still work fine, or would I run into problems with various tools and services? I’m curious to hear how everyone else handles this. It would be super helpful to gather some real-world experiences since, let’s face it, reading manuals can get a bit boring. What do you all think?

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    2 Answers


    1. Hey there! So, about SSH keys and their naming conventions—yeah, it can definitely get a bit confusing. The thing is, while the standard names like id_rsa and id_rsa.pub are recognized by a lot of systems, you can totally name your keys whatever you want!

      In fact, if you’re working on multiple projects, giving each key a more descriptive name makes a ton of sense. Like naming them my_project_key or dev_server_key can help you keep track of which key goes with which server or project. It can save you hassle down the line, especially when you’re juggling different access points.

      Now, you’re right that using non-standard names might mean you have to specify which key you’re using when you connect. Most SSH tools let you do that easily by using the -i option when running the ssh command. So for example, you’d do something like:

      ssh -i ~/.ssh/my_project_key username@host

      As for best practices, it really boils down to what makes your life easier. Just remember that SSH can be picky sometimes, so keeping your tools informed about the keys you’re using can help avoid confusion. But no worries—just rename them to something meaningful and go on with your biz!

      So yeah, feel free to experiment with different names! A little organization can go a long way, and you probably won’t hit many snags if you keep track of what you’re using for each project. Good luck!


    2. SSH keys are indeed crucial for establishing secure connections, and while the default naming convention of “id_rsa” for private keys and “id_rsa.pub” for public keys is widely recognized, it’s not a strict requirement. These conventional names allow for default behavior in many systems, simplifying the connection process. However, using unique and descriptive names for your SSH keys can significantly enhance your workflow, especially when managing multiple keys across various projects or servers. By labeling your keys more contextually, like “my_project_key” or “dev_server_key,” you will keep track of their purposes easily without the risk of confusion.

      That said, if you do choose to use custom names, you’ll need to specify the key explicitly when you initiate a connection, which is achievable using the `-i` option with the SSH command. For instance, you would connect using a command like `ssh -i ~/.ssh/my_project_key user@host`. While this may add a bit of overhead to your workflow, the clarity it brings can be well worth it. Additionally, many modern SSH configuration files (located in `~/.ssh/config`) allow you to simplify this process even further by defining alias names for different keys and servers. Ultimately, the best practice is to adopt a naming convention that works for you while ensuring that you remember which key relates to which service or project. This way, you can minimize potential access errors and streamline your development process without adhering strictly to the conventional naming limitations.