How to Fix: PuTTY Network Error: Software caused connection abort
PuTTY Network Error: Software caused connection abort - fix for Windows 7 and VMware issues.
📋 Table of Contents
The 'Software caused connection abort' error in PuTTY is a frustrating issue that affects users who are trying to establish an SSH connection to a Linux server hosted in VMware on Windows 7. This error can occur at any time during the connection process, causing the session to terminate abruptly without warning. The symptoms of this error include receiving a 'Network error: Software caused connection abort' message and experiencing an inactive PuTTY SSH window.
This issue is particularly annoying because it can lead to lost work or interrupted tasks, especially when working with critical applications like SVN. In addition to the inconvenience, the root cause of this error may be related to VMware Player or Windows 7, as evidenced by the fact that a similar issue does not occur on Windows Vista.
⚠️ Common Causes
- The primary reason for this error is likely due to the way PuTTY handles SSH connections over VMWare. When using PuTTY with an SSH connection to a Linux server hosted in VMware, there may be issues with the network latency or packet loss that cause the connection to abort. This can happen even if the firewall settings are disabled.
- Another possible reason for this error is related to the way Windows 7 handles SSH connections. Some users have reported similar issues on Windows Vista, suggesting that the problem may be specific to Windows 7. It's possible that there's a quirk in the Windows 7 operating system or VMware Player that causes this issue.
🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
Optimizing PuTTY Connection Settings
- Step 1: Enable sshd TCPKeepAlive by adding the following line to your PuTTY configuration file: 'SourcePort = X', where X is a unique port number. This will keep the connection alive and reduce the likelihood of the connection aborting.
- Step 2: Set sshd ClientAliveInterval to 900 seconds and ClientAliveCountMax to 3. This will increase the frequency of keepalive packets sent over the connection, helping to detect any issues with the network latency or packet loss that may cause the connection to abort.
- Step 3: Increase the 'seconds between keepalives' setting in PuTTY to at least 5 seconds. This will give the client more time to send keepalive packets and reduce the likelihood of the connection aborting due to inactivity.
Verifying VMware Player Configuration
- Step 1: Check the VMware Player configuration to ensure that the VM is properly configured for SSH connections. Verify that the network settings are correct, and that the VM is connected to a valid network adapter.
- Step 2: Verify that the VM is running with sufficient resources (CPU, RAM, etc.) to handle the SSH connection. Insufficient resources may cause the connection to abort or become unstable.
✨ Wrapping Up
To resolve the 'Software caused connection abort' error in PuTTY, try optimizing your PuTTY connection settings by enabling sshd TCPKeepAlive and adjusting the ClientAliveInterval and seconds between keepalives settings. Additionally, verify that your VMware Player configuration is correct and that the VM is properly configured for SSH connections. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve this issue and establish a stable SSH connection to your Linux server hosted in VMware on Windows 7.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
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