Git: “Permission denied (publickey)” Error when Connected to Company LAN [Closed]

Are you tired of facing the “Permission denied (publickey)” error when trying to connect to your company’s Git repository via the company LAN? You’re not alone! This error can be frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of a critical project. But fear not, dear reader, for we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll dive into the reasons behind this error and provide you with a step-by-step guide to resolve it.

What is the “Permission denied (publickey)” Error?

The “Permission denied (publickey)” error occurs when Git is unable to authenticate with the remote repository using SSH. This error typically occurs when you’re trying to access a Git repository hosted on a company’s internal network or a private Git server.

Causes of the “Permission denied (publickey)” Error

There are several reasons why you might encounter the “Permission denied (publickey)” error. Here are some common causes:

• Incorrect or Missing SSH Keys: If your SSH keys are not properly set up or are missing, Git won’t be able to authenticate with the remote repository.
• Wrong Git Configurations: Misconfigured Git settings can cause the “Permission denied (publickey)” error. This can include incorrect usernames, passwords, or repository URLs.
• Firewall or Network Restrictions: Company firewalls or network restrictions can block Git’s attempts to connect to the remote repository.
• Outdated Git Version: Using an outdated version of Git can cause compatibility issues, leading to the “Permission denied (publickey)” error.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resolve the “Permission denied (publickey)” Error

Now that we’ve covered the causes of the error, let’s get to the solution. Follow these steps to resolve the “Permission denied (publickey)” error:

Step 1: Check Your SSH Keys

First, let’s ensure that your SSH keys are properly set up. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Git Bash terminal and type ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 2048 to generate a new SSH key.
2. Save the SSH key in a secure location, such as ~/.ssh/id_rsa.
3. Copy the contents of the id_rsa.pub file.
4. Log in to your Git repository’s web interface and add the SSH key to your account settings.

Step 2: Configure Your Git Settings

Next, let’s ensure that your Git settings are correct. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Git Bash terminal and type git config --global user.name "Your Name" to set your username.
2. Type git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com" to set your email address.
3. Type git config --global core.sshCommand "ssh" to set the SSH command.

Step 3: Check Your Firewall and Network Restrictions

If you’re behind a company firewall or have network restrictions, you may need to configure your Git settings to bypass these restrictions. Follow these steps:

1. Check with your company’s IT department to see if there are any specific firewall rules or network restrictions that need to be configured.
2. Use a tool like ssh -vT git@example.com to test your SSH connection and identify any issues.
3. Configure your Git settings to use a proxy server or VPN if necessary.

Step 4: Update Your Git Version

If you’re using an outdated version of Git, you may need to update to the latest version. Follow these steps:

1. Check your current Git version by typing git --version.
2. Update your Git version to the latest version using a package manager like Homebrew or Chocolatey.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even after following the above steps, you may still encounter some issues. Here are some common troubleshooting tips:

Issue 1: “Permission denied (publickey)” Error Persists

If you’re still getting the “Permission denied (publickey)” error, try the following:

• Check your SSH key permissions: Ensure that your SSH key files have the correct permissions (usually 0600).
• Verify your SSH key fingerprint: Check that your SSH key fingerprint matches the one listed in your Git repository’s web interface.

Issue 2: SSH Connection Times Out

If your SSH connection times out, try the following:

• Increase the SSH timeout: You can do this by adding the following line to your ~/.ssh/config file: ServerAliveInterval 60.
• Check your network connection: Ensure that your network connection is stable and not dropping packets.

Issue 3: Git Configurations Not Applied

If your Git configurations aren’t being applied, try the following:

• Check your Git config file: Ensure that your Git config file (~/.gitconfig) is correctly formatted and contains the correct settings.
• Use the --global flag: When setting Git configurations, use the --global flag to ensure that the settings are applied globally.

Conclusion

The “Permission denied (publickey)” error can be frustrating, but with these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and get back to coding. Remember to check your SSH keys, Git configurations, firewall and network restrictions, and Git version to ensure that everything is properly set up. If you still encounter issues, try troubleshooting common problems or seek help from your company’s IT department or a Git expert.

Causes of the “Permission denied (publickey)” Error	Solutions
Incorrect or Missing SSH Keys	Generate new SSH keys and add them to your Git repository’s web interface
Wrong Git Configurations	Check and update your Git configurations using the git config command
Firewall or Network Restrictions	Configure your Git settings to bypass firewall and network restrictions
Outdated Git Version	Update your Git version to the latest version using a package manager

# Example SSH key generation command
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 2048

# Example Git configuration command
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"
git config --global core.sshCommand "ssh"

# Example SSH connection testing command
ssh -vT git@example.com

We hope this article has helped you resolve the “Permission denied (publickey)” error and get back to coding. Happy coding!

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