diff --git a/roles/ssh-install/defaults/main.yml b/roles/ssh-install/defaults/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1fbddfa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/roles/ssh-install/defaults/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+---
+# ssh-install/defaults/main.yml
+
+ssh_pki_dir: "{{ playbook_dir }}/ssh_pki"
+
+ssh_keytype: rsa
+
+# name of master ssh key for this pod
+pod_sshkey_name: "headnode"
+
+on_maas: False