SSH uses keys to ensure that only authorized clients have access to a given server. SSH keys come in pairs. One of the keys, the public key, is installed on the server. The other key, the private key, is installed on the clients. For SSH access to the server, the client must present the private key and, if defined, the passphrase for that key.
S Series Nodes make use of a set of SSH key pairs. Each key pair enables authorized service providers and support personnel to use SSH to log directly in to the S Series Node server modules using a specific user account.
The S Series Node comes with a set of default SSH keys already installed on it. These keys are installed during the initial installation of the HCP S Series OS and software. The default SSH keys are not unique to any single S Series Node.
On any S Series Node, you can install a set of SSH keys that are exclusive to that S Series Node. When you install exclusive SSH keys, they become active, and the previously active keys are no longer valid. If the previously active SSH keys were exclusive, those keys are removed from the S Series Node.
If, after installing exclusive SSH keys, you want to make the default SSH keys active, you can revoke the exclusive SSH keys. When you revoke exclusive SSH keys, they are removed from the S Series Node, and the default SSH keys become active.
If you have the administrator, monitor, security, or service role, you can use the HCP S Series Management Console or management API to view information about the currently active SSH keys. If you have the security or service role, you can use the Management Console or management API to install and revoke exclusive SSH keys.
To work with SSH keys in the Management Console, go to .