(VB.NET) SSH Authentication using X.509 Certificates

See more SSH Examples

Demonstrates how to authenticate with an SSH/SFTP server using an certificate's private key.

Note: See X.509v3 Certificates for SSH Authentication for more information.

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' This example assumes the Chilkat API to have been previously unlocked.
' See Global Unlock Sample for sample code.

Dim ssh As New Chilkat.Ssh

Dim hostname As String = "ssh.example.com"
Dim port As Integer = 22
Dim success As Boolean = ssh.Connect(hostname,port)
If (success <> True) Then
    Debug.WriteLine(ssh.LastErrorText)
    Exit Sub
End If


' Load the cert + private key from a .pfx.
' Note: Chilkat provides methods for loading certs and private keys from many sources, including smart cards and USB tokens (HSM's)
Dim cert As New Chilkat.Cert
success = cert.LoadPfxFile("qa_data/pfx/example.pfx","pfx_password")
If (success <> True) Then
    Debug.WriteLine(cert.LastErrorText)
    Exit Sub
End If


' Get the cert's private key (as PEM) to be used for SSH authentication.
' (The public key is installed on the server.)
Dim privKeyPem As String = cert.GetPrivateKeyPem()
If (cert.LastMethodSuccess = False) Then
    Debug.WriteLine(cert.LastErrorText)
    Exit Sub
End If


Dim key As New Chilkat.SshKey

' Load a private key from a PEM string:
success = key.FromOpenSshPrivateKey(privKeyPem)
If (success <> True) Then
    Debug.WriteLine(key.LastErrorText)
    Exit Sub
End If


' Authenticate with the SSH server.
success = ssh.AuthenticatePk("myLogin",key)
If (success <> True) Then
    Debug.WriteLine(ssh.LastErrorText)
    Exit Sub
End If


Debug.WriteLine("Public-Key Authentication Successful!")