'Invalid key file' on openssh key format. (with workaround)

[luke....@gmail.com]

Hello

While trying to use the custom ssh key-pair feature found in the Preference dialogue under the SSH Authentication tab I have hit an error.

When I provide my ssh-keygen generated rsa private key jFed give me an Invalid key file error asking me to provide a valid private key. 

Openssh format for storing ssh private keys recently became the new default and I assume jFed does not recognize it.

Keys at the openssh format have the "-----BEGIN OPENSSH PRIVATE KEY-----" ascii armor.

Users confronted with this problem can generate a copy of their private key using the older PEM format which is recognized by jFed.

To do so:

1) copy your ssh private key.

2) run "ssh-keygen -p -m PEM -f </path/to/key/copy>"

           due to the -p flag you will be promted to change passwords, feel free to reuse the same password

           the -m PEM flag will prompt open ssh-keygen to change the file format after the "password change"

3) your copy should be at the PEM format and the acsii armor should open with "-----BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY-----"

PEM keys are recognized jFed and ssh so connection from this point on should work without any problem.

[Wim Van de Meerssche]

Hi Luke,

Thanks for reporting that. The next version of jFed will have support for openssh format private keys (RSA only for now).

Best Regards,

Wim Van de Meerssche

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Wim Van de Meerssche
Ghent University - imec
IDLab
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Email: wim.vande...@UGent.be
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