pysftp AuthenticationException while connecting to server with private key

python ssh sftp paramiko pysftp
heathensoul picture heathensoul · Dec 4, 2015 · Viewed 10.1k times · Source

I am trying to connect to SFTP server. I have a private key along with a password. I have tried to read related questions on SO, but have been unable to successfully connect.

This is what I have tried:

pysftp.Connection(host=<hostname>, username=<username>,
                  password=<password>, private_key=<path to .ppk file>)

AuthenticationException: Authentication failed

pysftp.Connection(host=<hostname>, username=<username>,
                  private_key_pass=<password>, private_key=<path to .ppk file>)

SSHException: not a valid DSA private key file

However, I can use the same credentials and connect with FileZilla. FileZilla asked for password and converted the .ppk file into an unprotected file.

I tried to use the same host name, username and key file as used in FileZilla, but I continue getting errors. Also tried connecting using Paramiko.

Answer

heathensoul picture heathensoul · Dec 4, 2015

I could finally connect.

Converted the file to a .pem file using PuTTY. Passed this .pem file and kept the rest of the parameters the same as before. 

pysftp.Connection(host='hostname', username='username',
                   password='password', private_key='path to .pem file')

Hope this helps someone having similar issues.

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