Git uses SSH key pairs to authenticate the machine you are accessing the repository from with the place you store that repository. If you followed the post about installing Git on your MediaTemple server then this is the next step in getting Git ready. This post should also act as a quick reference if you are not yet familiar with, or just want reminding of, the method of creating SSH public keypairs.

What you will need

• SSH root access to your server (MediaTemple offer this though the Account Center)
• About 5 minutes of time

Method

This is a quick process and remarkably easy to do.

1. Log into your server using SSH. Usually this is ssh root@your-domain.com
2. Enter the command: ssh-keygen -t rsa
3. You will be asked where you want to save the key file, just press enter. (If you are told the file already exists skip the next 2 steps)
4. You’ll now be asked to enter a passphrase . You should enter a passphrase you will remember here as you will need it when you communicate with the main repository from now on.
5. Confirm the passphrase.
6. You can view the public keypair that was just created by entering: cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

That’s all, in the next post i’ll show you how to connect to your repository on Unfuddle.