Fix Paramiko SSHException: Error Reading SSH Protocol Banner (Timeout, Network, Port Fixes)

The Paramiko SSHException: Error reading SSH protocol banner typically occurs due to SSH banner timeout (default 15 seconds), network interference, or non-standard ports—not actual protocol version mismatches. This tutorial explains how to resolve it.

Understanding the Protocol Banner

The SSH protocol banner is the server’s initial greeting. It indicates the supported SSH protocol version. It is the first step in the handshake.

Common Causes of this Exception

Protocol version mismatch is a frequent cause. Common culprits include network congestion/firewalls blocking SSH traffic, incorrect ports (use port=2222 parameter), or sshd overload from rapid connections—fix with banner_timeout=200 in connect().

Handling the SSHException

Use try-except blocks to catch the SSHException. This prevents your program from crashing. It allows for proper error handling.

import paramiko

try:
    ssh = paramiko.SSHClient()
    ssh.set_missing_host_key_policy(paramiko.AutoAddPolicy())
    ssh.connect("your_hostname", username="your_username", password="your_password")
    # ... your SSH operations ...
    ssh.close()
except paramiko.ssh_exception.SSHException as e:
    print(f"SSH Exception: {e}")
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Other error: {e}")

Checking Server SSH Version

Verify the server’s SSH protocol version. Use an SSH client like ssh -V to check. Ensure client and server versions are compatible.

Checking Network Connectivity

Test network connectivity to the server. Use ping or telnet to check the connection. This helps isolate network-related issues.

Firewall Configuration

Ensure firewalls are not blocking SSH traffic. Check both client and server firewall rules. Port 22 must be open for SSH.

Incorrect Port Number

Double-check the SSH port number if it’s non-standard. The default SSH port is 22. Specify the port in the connect() method.

import paramiko

try:
    ssh = paramiko.SSHClient()
    # ...
    ssh.connect("your_hostname", username="your_username", password="your_password", port=2222) # Example: Port 2222
    ssh.close()
except paramiko.ssh_exception.SSHException as e:
    print(f"SSH Exception: {e}")
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Other error: {e}")

Network Interference

Network devices like proxies can interfere with SSH. Check for any network devices between client and server. These can often manipulate packets.