Cannot SCP from a Cisco C3560G with PuTTY SCP: FATAL ERROR: Received unexpected end-of-file from server

Cannot SCP from a Cisco C3560G with PuTTY SCP: FATAL ERROR: Received unexpected end-of-file from server

If you are encountering the error message "FATAL ERROR: Received unexpected end-of-file from server" while trying to SCP (Secure Copy) files from a Cisco C3560G switch using PuTTY SCP, there are a few possible causes and solutions you can try to resolve the issue. This error typically occurs when the SCP connection is terminated unexpectedly, preventing the successful transfer of files.

Possible Causes

There are several potential causes for this error:

1. Insufficient permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access the files you are trying to SCP.
2. Firewall or access control list (ACL) restrictions: Check if there are any firewall rules or ACLs that may be blocking the SCP connection.
3. Incorrect SCP syntax: Verify that you are using the correct syntax for the SCP command.
4. Network connectivity issues: Ensure that there are no network connectivity problems between your computer and the Cisco C3560G switch.

Solutions

1. Verify Permissions

Make sure that you have the necessary permissions to access the files on the Cisco switch. Contact your network administrator to confirm your access rights.

2. Check Firewall and ACL Settings

Ensure that there are no firewall rules or ACLs blocking the SCP connection. Consult with your network administrator to review and modify any restrictions that may be in place.

3. Verify SCP Syntax

Double-check the syntax of your SCP command. The correct syntax is:

scp [source_file] [destination]

Replace [source_file] with the path and name of the file you want to copy, and [destination] with the destination directory on your local machine where you want to save the file.

4. Check Network Connectivity

Ensure that there are no network connectivity issues between your computer and the Cisco C3560G switch. You can try the following steps:

• Check if you can ping the switch's IP address from your computer.
• Verify that you are using the correct IP address and port number in your SCP command.
• Make sure there are no network outages or disruptions.
• Try SCP from a different computer to see if the issue persists.

5. Enable SCP on the Cisco Switch

By default, SCP may be disabled on the Cisco C3560G switch. To enable SCP, follow these steps:

1. Access the switch's command-line interface (CLI) using a console cable or SSH.
2. Enter privileged EXEC mode by typing enable and providing the appropriate password.
3. Switch to global configuration mode by typing configure terminal.
4. Enable SCP by entering the command ip scp server enable.
5. Exit configuration mode by typing exit.
6. Save the configuration by entering write memory or copy running-config startup-config.

Conclusion

The "FATAL ERROR: Received unexpected end-of-file from server" error when trying to SCP files from a Cisco C3560G switch with PuTTY SCP can be caused by various factors such as insufficient permissions, firewall or ACL restrictions, incorrect SCP syntax, or network connectivity issues. By following the solutions provided in this article, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve the problem. If the issue persists, it is recommended to seek assistance from a network administrator or Cisco support.

References