C # in a Nutshell, Second Edition

Synopsis

sn options

Description

Verifies assemblies and their key information. Also generates key files and manages Cryptographic Service Provider (CSP) containers, which provide a layer of abstraction over key storage and management. CSPs are enumerated in the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Cryptography\Defaults\Provider registry key. See GacUtil.exe for an example of signing an assembly.

Examples

Create a new key-pair:

C:\home> sn -k mykey.snk Microsoft (R) .NET Framework Strong Name Utility Version 1.1.4322.573 Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation 1998-2002. All rights reserved. Key pair written to mykey.snk

Add that key-pair to a container:

C:\home> sn -i mykey.snk MyContainer Microsoft (R) .NET Framework Strong Name Utility Version 1.1.4322.573 Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation 1998-2002. All rights reserved. Key pair installed into 'MyContainer'

Extract the public key from the key in the container:

C:\home> sn -pc MyContainer pubkey.out Microsoft (R) .NET Framework Strong Name Utility Version 1.1.4322.573 Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation 1998-2002. All rights reserved. Public key written to pubkey.out

Options

-? , help

Displays usage information and exits.

-c [ csp ]

Sets the default CSP for your machine. With no arguments, resets the CSP to the default.

-d container

Deletes the specified key container.

-D assembly1assembly2

Compares two assemblies and verifies that they differ only by signature.

-e assemblyfile

Extracts an assembly's public key into file .

-i filecontainer

Installs a key-pair from file in the container.

-k file

Generates a new key-pair and stores it in file .

-m [yn]

With y , specifies that key containers are machine-specific. With n , specifies that they are user -specific . With no arguments, displays the current settings.

-o keyfile [ csvfile ]

Converts a public key to comma-separated value (CSV) format and stores it in the csvfile . If csvfile is not specified, stores the data in the clipboard.

-p infileoutfile

Extracts the public key from infile and stores it in outfile . Use the extracted public key for delay signing (see Al.exe ).

-pc containerfile

Extracts the public key from the key-pair that is stored in the container. The public key is stored in file .

-q

Suppresses display of success messages.

-R assembly file

Re-signs a previously signed (or delay-signed) assembly.

-Rc assemblycontainer

Re-signs a previously signed (or delay-signed) assembly using the key-pair in the specified container.

-t[p] file

Displays a public key's token ( -t ) or the token and public key ( -tp ). The file must be generated with -p .

-T[p] assembly

Displays an assembly's public key token ( -T ) or the token and public key ( -Tp ).

-v[f] assembly

Verifies an assembly's strong name. Use f to force verification even if you have disabled it with -Vr .

-Vl

Lists the machine's current settings for strong name verification.

-Vr assembly [ userlist ]

Registers the assembly for verification skipping. You can optionally supply a list of users that this applies to.

-Vu assembly

Unregisters the assembly for verification skipping.

-Vx

Unregisters all verification skipping entries.

See Also

Al.exe , GacUtil.exe