Appreciation post: That weird SSH key issue that took me a full weekend to fix

I was setting up a new server for a small project last Friday and my SSH keys just would NOT work. I kept getting 'permission denied' even though I was sure I copied the public key right. I spent hours checking file permissions, the authorized_keys file, and even the SSH config. I must have restarted the SSH service 20 times. The real kicker was that it was a simple typo in the key itself from when I copied it. I had a single wrong character near the end. It took me from Friday night until Sunday afternoon to finally spot it. I felt so silly but also so relieved. Has anyone else had a tiny mistake cause a huge headache like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

milaprice1mo ago

It's wild how these tiny errors can completely stop a system. I see it everywhere, like a single wrong number in a spreadsheet formula that breaks a whole budget. The smallest thing, a missing period in code or a typo in a config file, can create this massive wall you just can't see over. It makes you respect how fragile all this complex stuff really is when it hinges on perfect little details.

the_drew1mo agoMost Upvoted

Massive wall you just can't see over" is a perfect way to put something I used to brush off as no big deal.

kelly.nora1mo ago

Makes you wonder how many invisible walls @milaprice described are out there, holding up everything we take for granted.