SOLVED: PuTTY Fatal Error

[chiknnutz]

I am trying to access my HDA using PuTTY, but cannot get in. Immediately upon trying to open a session, I receive the following message, "Server unexpectedly closed network connection". Now I will admit I have never used this program before, but I followed the Wiki on how to get it set up.

Wiki: https://wiki.amahi.org/index.php/Key-Based_SSH_Logins

What should I be looking for to diagnose this issue? BTW, I am using a wireless laptop connected to my home network.

[bigfoot65]

Recommend you use the dashboard to add your Public Key to the server. It can be done via the User tab.

The guidance probably needs to be updated to reflect such.

[chiknnutz]

Ugh, now I am getting a different error on two different computers (one is hard wired, the other wireless). Now the error message, immediately upon trying to connect, is

Network error: Software caused connection abort

[bigfoot65]

The info you are providing is not very helpful.

Have you checked the internet for troubleshooting the issue?

Did you add the key via the dashboard as I mentioned?

[chiknnutz]

Yes, have searched internet for issues. Some indicate it is a firewall issue, which I have looked into with no love yet. I also added the Public key, same results. Sorry to be a pain.

[bigfoot65]

No worries, you are not being a pain. Happy to help.

Just need more details on the issue. It could be a firewall issue. Did you check your router? Also maybe recheck your steps from the wiki guidance to ensure you did not miss something.

[chiknnutz]

I've tried and retried a gazillion times. The thing is, it never establishes a connection. As soon as I click the OPEN in Putty, the message appears. I've tried turning off every firewall I know of entirely too, all with the same result. Since this is a tool I've never used before, I'm really at a loss as to what to try next. If I can't get something simple like this to work, makes me wonder how much effort I want to invest in all this. I really want/need a replacement for my WHS box as I store a lot of information on there (Music, Photos, etc.).

[bigfoot65]

Maybe try a different SSH client, like Kitty.

It's based on Putty, but maybe it will work better for you.

This is something hard to diagnose without looking more in depth at how you have Putty configured. It could be something simple.

Most users have no trouble is getting connected. Not sure what is causing your problem. Are you using IP address in Putty to access the HDA? Is your router set to be your DHCP Server?

[chiknnutz]

My HDA IP address is 192.168.254.10, which is exactly what I have in Putty. I am using the default Port of 22, and ESM says that the SSH service on port 22 is running on the HDA. I am letting the HDA, not the router, be the DHCP server just like is recommended. Regarding the public and private keys, must I be using those in order for Putty to work? I have also tried just "hda" in the IP address field, which I saw someone else mention.

I was looking at another Wiki thread and it appears I should be able to connect with just the IP address and then just enter my login credentials once the session is opened. Trouble is, I can never get a session to open.

Oh I am sure it is something I am doing or not doing, just don't know what the heck to try.

[bigfoot65]

Regarding the public and private keys, must I be using those in order for Putty to work?

Yes that was the reason for creating them. You would need to add the Public Key to your user via the dashboard. Next you would want to add the Private Key to the Putty session.

If you followed the wiki guidance, it instructs you to do all this. I would recommend you use IP address vs hda.

Should that not work, recommend you remove the Public key from your user and Private key from the Putty configuration, then set the login to ask for user name and password. If you need assistance with that piece, there is guidance in the wiki or on the internet.

Hope that helps.