Connect to Linux Host from Windows with VSCode using the private key

Question

I have been given a *.pem key, which i was able to convert to a *.ppk key using putty.

I can connect to the host using putty.

But wanted to do the same using the remote-ssh that is offerred in vs code.

So append the config file to this:

Host my_host
  HostName ip.add.ress.here
  User ubuntu
  IdentityFile full_path_to_ppk_file

I then do: remote ssh in vscode and select the host that i set up in the config file (above).

But i get this error:

could not establish connection to "ip_addrss".

I tried using this helpful link: Connect to Host with VSCode using the private key

and other similar links.

I also tried other combinations like adding the port.

But none of the combinations work, so now i seem to be guessing"...

So my question is: how can i connect to the linux server using vscode given a ppk file (if this is possible).