Sign in into the **Google Cloud Console**

Type "**VM instances**" in the search bar and click on the **VM instances** option

**What are VM instances?**\
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**VM instances** in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) refer to **virtual machines** that run on Google Compute Engine. These are customizable compute resources that provide users with the capability to run applications, deploy workloads, and manage services on Google's infrastructure. VM instances can be configured with different CPU, memory, and storage options, and can run various operating systems, including Linux and Windows. They are a key component of cloud infrastructure, offering scalable and flexible computing power.

Click on the **Metadata** option from the left bar

**What is Metadata?**\
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**Metadata** is information that describes and provides context about other data. It includes details such as file attributes, database schema, or cloud resource settings. Metadata helps in organizing, managing, and understanding the primary data it pertains to.

**Metadata** wizard will open, click on the **SSH KEYS** tab

**What are SSH KEYS?**\
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**SSH keys** are cryptographic keys used for secure access to remote servers and systems over the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol. They consist of a pair: a **public key** and a **private key**. The public key is placed on the server, while the private key remains on the client machine. When a connection is established, the server uses the public key to verify the client's identity, ensuring secure, password-less authentication. SSH keys are commonly used for secure logins, file transfers, and remote command execution.

Scroll to the **SSH key 1** and here you can give the public SSH key

You can click on the **ADD ITEM** button to add more public SSH keys

Scroll the page and click on the **SAVE** button to apply the changes

Congratulations! on successfully adding SSH keys

Scroll to the **Key 1**,here you can add key and its value

Congratulations! on completing this lab and SSHing into Linux VMs

Google Cloud

This guide provides a comprehensive and step-by-step approach to securely accessing Linux virtual machines via SSH.

SSHing into Linux VMs - 1