Step 1 - Setup SSH Keys - VIScon 2025 Workshop

October 11, 2025

Setup SSH Keys

SSH keys enable secure, password-free authentication to your cloud VM. Before the workshop begins, you'll need to generate an SSH key pair and share your public key with the workshop organizer. This guide walks you through the process for all operating systems.

Understanding SSH Keys

An SSH key pair consists of two files:

  • Private key: Stays on your machine, never shared
  • Public key: Can be safely shared and will be added to your workshop VM

macOS and Linux Users

Check for Existing Keys

In your terminal:

ls -al ~/.ssh

If you see id_ed25519.pub or id_rsa.pub, you already have a key pair. Display and copy it:

cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

Generate a New SSH Key

Run:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com"

If ed25519 isn't supported, use RSA:

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your_email@example.com"

Press Enter for all prompts to accept defaults.

Copy Your Public Key

Display your public key:

cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

Or for RSA:

cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

Send your public key by email to lukasre@deepjudge.ai with the following information:

  • Subject: VIScon 2025 Workshop - SSH Key Submission
  • Public SSH Key: (the full line you copied above)
  • Your Name:
  • GitHub Username:
  • ETHZ Username:
  • SOSETH Member: (Yes/No)

Windows Users

Check for Existing SSH Client

Modern Windows (10 and 11) includes an SSH client by default.

Open PowerShell and run:

ssh

If you see SSH command help output, you're ready to go. Otherwise, continue to the installation step.

Check for Existing Keys

In PowerShell:

dir ~/.ssh

If you see id_rsa and id_rsa.pub or id_ed25519 and id_ed25519.pub, you already have a key pair. Skip to the "Copy Your Public Key" section.

Generate a New SSH Key

In PowerShell:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com"

If ed25519 isn't supported, use RSA:

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your_email@example.com"

When prompted:

  • Save location: Press Enter to accept default (C:\Users\<yourname>\.ssh\id_ed25519)
  • Passphrase: Press Enter twice to skip (optional but convenient for workshop)

Copy Your Public Key

Display your public key:

cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

Or for RSA:

cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

Send your public key by email to lukasre@deepjudge.ai with the following information:

  • Subject: VIScon 2025 Workshop - SSH Key Submission
  • Public SSH Key: (the entire line starting with ssh-ed25519 or ssh-rsa)
  • Your Name:
  • GitHub Username:
  • ETHZ Username:
  • VSETH/VSUZH Member: (Yes/No)

Security Reminders

  • Only share your public key (the .pub file)
  • Never share your private key (the file without .pub)
  • Your private key should remain secure on your local machine
  • If you accidentally expose your private key, generate a new pair immediately

Next Steps

Once you've submitted your public key, you'll be assigned a workshop VM. Continue to Step 2: Setup Application Locally to fork the workshop repository and customize your unique animal identity.