SshPrivateKeyFile-- Private key is not in the default format

[ndedhia1]

Hi,
I am trying to authentic using a public key but I get the error: Private key is not in the default format

Can someone please help me change the format of my private key file.

HERE IS MY CODE:

//Authenticate using a public key
           PublicKeyAuthenticationClient pk = new PublicKeyAuthenticationClient();
           pk.setUsername(user);
           System.out.println("I got past the authenticate the public key");
 
           // open up the private key file
           SshPrivateKey key = null;
 
           File hostsFile = new File("$HOME/.ssh/known_hosts");
 
 
           SshPrivateKeyFile file = SshPrivateKeyFile.parse(hostsFile);
 
 
           key = file.toPrivateKey(password);
 
           pk.setKey(key);
 
           int result = ssh.authenticate(pk);
 
 

HERE IS MY RESULTS WITH THE ERROR:
ISCONNECTED: true
I got past the authenticate the public key
Sep 21, 2010 12:31:43 PM com.sshtools.j2ssh.transport.publickey.SshPrivateK eyFile parse
INFO: Parsing private key file
Sep 21, 2010 12:31:43 PM com.sshtools.j2ssh.transport.publickey.SshPrivateK eyFile parse
INFO: Private key is not in the default format, attempting parse with other supported formats
YOU FAILED IN THE CONNECT
Error: com.sshtools.j2ssh.transport.publickey.InvalidSshK eyException: The key format is not a supported format



THANKS A LOT FOR THE HELP!!