> # Generating the SSH Server Key Pair

> Ensure that you have an SSH server key pair with the appropriate version before enabling the SSH service. Generate the SSH server key pair according to the SSH client version used. The number of bits specified for each key pair ranges from 768 to 2048.

> The SSH service accepts two types of key pairs for use by SSH version 2.

> - The dsa option generates the DSA key pair for the SSH version 2 protocol.
> - The rsa option generates the RSA keypair for the SSH version 2 protocol.

> Caution | If you delete all of the SSH keys, you cannot start a new SSH session.

> ## Detailed Steps

> To generate the SSH key pair using DCNM-SAN, follow these steps:

> 1. Expand Switches > Security and then select SSH and Telnet.
> 2. Click the Create Row icon.

> You see the SSH and Telnet Key - Create dialog box.

> 3. Check the switches you want to assign to this SSH key pair.
> 4. Choose the key pair option type from the listed Protocols. The listed protocols are SSH1, SSH2(rsa), and SSH2(dsa).
> 5. Set the number of bits that will be used to generate the key pairs in the NumBits drop-down menu.
> 6. Click Create to generate these keys.

> Note 1856 DSA NumberKeys are not supported by switches that running Cisco MDS NX-OS software version 4.1(1) and later.

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