---
name: "dropbearkey"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "dropbear"
version: "2012.55-1.3"
release: "Debian 7 (Wheezy)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/dropbearkey/8"
---

# dropbearkey(8)

create private keys for the use with dropbear(8)

## NAME

dropbearkey - create private keys for the use with [dropbear(8)](/dropbear/8.md)

## SYNOPSIS

**dropbearkey** -t *type* -f *file* \[-s *bits*\] \[-y\]

## DESCRIPTION

**dropbearkey** generates a *RSA* or *DSS* format SSH private key, and saves it to a file for the use with the [**dropbear**(8)](/dropbear/8.md) SSH 2 server. Note that  some SSH implementations use the term "DSA" rather than "DSS", they mean the same thing.

## OPTIONS

- **-t *type***

  Type of key to generate. Must be one of *rsa* or *dss*.

- **-f *file***

  Write the secret key to the file *file*.

- **-s *bits***

  Set the key size to *bits* bits, should be multiple of 8 (optional).

- **-y**

  Just print the publickey and fingerprint for the private key in *file*.

## EXAMPLE

generate a host-key:\
  \# dropbearkey -t rsa -f /etc/dropbear/dropbear\_rsa\_host\_key

extract a public key suitable for authorized\_keys from private key:\
  \# dropbearkey -y -f id\_rsa \| grep "^ssh-rsa " \>\> authorized\_keys

## AUTHOR

Matt Johnston (matt@ucc.asn.au).\
 Gerrit Pape (pape@smarden.org) wrote this manual page.

## SEE ALSO

[dropbear(8)](/dropbear/8.md), [dbclient(1)](/dbclient/1.md)

http://matt.ucc.asn.au/dropbear/dropbear.html