C# in a Nutshell, Second Edition

Name

Sn.exe — Strong Name Utility

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 ...