When trying to connect to the Globalscape EFT SSH server from RHEL8, you may encounter the error message "Permission denied (publickey)". This error usually occurs when the SSH server does not recognize your public key or when the key is not properly configured on the server.
This article will guide you through the steps to resolve this issue and establish a successful connection to the Globalscape EFT SSH server from RHEL8.
Step 1: Verify SSH Server Configuration
First, ensure that the SSH server on the Globalscape EFT server is properly configured to accept public key authentication.
1. Access the Globalscape EFT SSH server.
ssh username@server-ip
2. Open the SSH server configuration file using a text editor.
sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
3. Locate the line that says "PubkeyAuthentication" and make sure it is set to "yes".
# PubkeyAuthentication yes
4. Save the changes and exit the text editor.
Step 2: Generate SSH Key Pair
If you haven't already generated an SSH key pair on your RHEL8 machine, follow these steps to create one.
1. Open a terminal on your RHEL8 machine.
2. Generate a new SSH key pair using the following command:
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096
3. You will be prompted to enter a file in which to save the key. Press Enter to accept the default location.
4. You will then be asked to enter a passphrase. It is recommended to set a passphrase for added security, but it is optional. Press Enter if you do not wish to set a passphrase.
5. The key pair will be generated and saved in the specified file location.
Step 3: Copy Public Key to SSH Server
Now that you have generated an SSH key pair, you need to copy the public key to the Globalscape EFT SSH server.
1. Use the following command to copy the public key to the server:
ssh-copy-id username@server-ip
2. You will be prompted to enter the password for the SSH user on the server. Enter the password and press Enter.
3. The public key will be copied to the server and added to the authorized_keys file, allowing you to authenticate using the private key.
Step 4: Verify SSH Key Authentication
Now that the public key has been copied to the SSH server, you can test the authentication process.
1. Attempt to connect to the Globalscape EFT SSH server using the following command:
ssh username@server-ip
2. If everything is configured correctly, you should now be able to connect to the server without being prompted for a password.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the "Permission denied (publickey)" error and establish a successful connection to the Globalscape EFT SSH server from RHEL8. Remember to check the SSH server configuration, generate an SSH key pair, copy the public key to the server, and verify the SSH key authentication. If you encounter any issues, double-check your configuration and ensure that the correct files and permissions are set.