CygwinB20 and sshd 1.2.26

["Marty Wise" <wise@jlab.org>]

I am trying to get sshd running on NT4.0 via Cygwin for a bit now.  I ran into problems with the B19/1.2.22 version for which I could find precompiled binaries.  I later installed Sergey's B20/1.2.26 port, but alas, it didn't include the RSA authentication that I was interested in.  I have since embarked upon an effort to compile B20/1.2.26 myself.  I have everything compiled. When I attempt to start sshd on the NT system, however, I get the following error --

 

error: fatal: Could not load host key: /etc/ssh_host_key. Check path and permissions.

 

This file exists.  I generated it with make install originally, and have subsequently attempted regenerating it with

   ssh-keygen -b1024 -f /etc/ssh_host_key -N ''

The file (and its companion /etc/ssh_host_key.pub) is generated as expected.

 

According to the sshd source, the error is generated if the file is not found, or otherwise can't be opened or the passphrase is not correct.  Since it was generated with no passphrase, I would have expected this to not be a problem.  Also, I regenerated the keys in the same shell from which I later attempt to run sshd, so I would expect modes and permissions to be okay. Also, I do have the requisite entries in /etc/passwd, /etc/group, /etc/sshd_config, etc.

 

I am pretty stuck at this point, has anyone encountered this, or am I overlooking something? Thanks for any help.

 

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Regards,

 

Marty Wise

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility

Computer Center -- Systems Team

12000 Jefferson Ave., Mailstop 12E

Newport News, Va., 23606

 

Voice: (757)269-7214

Fax:   (757)269-7053

e-mail: Marty.Wise@jlab.org