When using the Paramiko library for secure file transfer (SFTP) with Python, you may encounter the error message “Server connection dropped.” This indicates that the connection between your Python script and the remote SFTP server has been interrupted.
There are several reasons why this might happen, including:
- Network issues: A temporary network outage or instability can cause the connection to drop.
- Server issues: The remote SFTP server might be experiencing problems, temporarily halting the connection.
- Timeouts: The connection may be timed out due to inactivity or excessive time spent on SFTP operations.
- Resource limitations: The SFTP server or your Python script might be running out of resources, such as memory or CPU, causing the connection to drop.
- Incorrect hostname or port: Make sure you have the correct hostname or IP address of the remote SFTP server and the correct port for SFTP connections (usually 22).
To troubleshoot this issue, follow these steps:
- Verify network connectivity: Check your network connection and ensure there are no outages or instability issues.
- Check server status: Ping the remote SFTP server to see if it’s responding. If the server is down or unreachable, you won’t be able to establish or maintain a connection.
- Increase timeouts: Paramiko has default timeouts for various operations. You can increase these timeouts in your Python script to give the connection more time to complete.
- Monitor resource usage: Check the resource usage of both your Python script and the SFTP server. If either is running low on resources, it could cause connection drops.
- Validate hostname and port: Ensure the hostname or IP address of the remote SFTP server and the port for SFTP connections are correct.
If you’ve tried these steps and the connection drops persist, it’s recommended to consult the Paramiko documentation or seek assistance from a Python or network troubleshooting expert.
Remember, network issues can be unpredictable, so it’s always a good practice to implement retry mechanisms in your Python scripts to handle temporary connection drops.