How to SSH to a remote server using a private key on Linux?

Question

I have been trying to connect to a remote server using my private key file from the terminal, but it doesn't seem to work. I don't understand why. Here is how I do it:

$ ssh -i private.ppk oap@10.20.0.11
Enter passphrase for key 'private.ppk':
Enter passphrase for key 'private.ppk':
Enter passphrase for key 'private.ppk':
Permission denied (publickey,gssapi-keyex,gssapi-with-mic).

My private key file has 600 mode. I am able to use PuTTY on my Linux box to connect with this private key file. What can be the problem?

score 11 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 05 '16 at 16:29

11

This is a putty key. It will not work with *nix ssh clients. You need to use PuTTYgen or similar software in order to convert your key to openssh format.

answered Feb 05 '16 at 16:29

user1700494

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score 8 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:41

8

openssh and PuTTY are using different key types (but you can convert between them). In PuTTYgen you need to go to Conversions->Export OpenSSH, export your private key and store it as id_rsa.

How to SSH to a remote server using a private key on Linux?

2 Answers2