"Received disconnect from 10.##.#.# port 22:2: Too many authentication failures" when trying to login to vCenter via SSH using UNIX based client

Products

• VMware vCenter Server 7.0

Issue/Introduction

• When attempting to login to vCenter via SSH on a UNIX based client using a PubKey, below error message is received:
  

  ssh root@10.##.#.#
  
  VMware vCenter Server 7.0.3.00800
  Type: vCenter Server with an embedded Platform Services Controller
  
  Received disconnect from  10.##.#.# port 22:2: Too many authentication failures
  Disconnected from 10.##.#.# port 22

• Some Unix/Linux based operating systems like CentOS, Ubuntu and macOS using Pubkey for SSH might experience this issue.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 7.x

Resolution

• Add the SSH key to vCenter's Authorized Keys File using the steps below: 
  
  
  • Connect to vCenter via SSH using the following command:
    

    ssh -o PubkeyAuthentication=no root@VC_fqdn/IP

  • Edit .ssh/config using vi or nano:
    

    vi .ssh/config

  • Insert the below parameters to the file as shown in the image:
    

    Host IP/FQDN
      Hostname IP/FQDN
      PubkeyAuthentication no

    Note: Ensure that you replace Host IP/FQDN with the appropriate parameter. For example:

    Host example.vmware.com
        Hostname example.vmware.com
        PubkeyAuthentication no

    or

    Host 10.##.#.#
         Hostname 10.##.#.#
         PubkeyAuthentication no

    Where 10.##.#.# is the vCenter IP and example.vmware.com is the vCenter FQDN.

  • Save and close the file : Hit ESC -> :wq!

The login should now be successful as shown below:

ssh root@10.##.#.#

VMware vCenter Server 7.0.3.00800
Type: vCenter Server with an embedded Platform Services Controller

[e-mail].X.X's password:
Connected to service

    * List APIs: "help api list"
    * List Plugins: "help pi list"
    * Launch BASH: "shell"

Command>