Solved Error: session authentication server

[Elenoir]

Hello guys!

• What OS are you running? Linux
• Are you using minecraft hosting provider or a dedicated/local server not designed for minecraft? MC Hosting Provider
• What version of FTB are you using? MagicWorld 7.2.0 (MC 1.4.7)
• Did you add any mods to the server pack? MCPC Plus for Essentials and Group Manager
• What are your server specs? Xeon-5420 2.5ghz, 1gbps port, 1.5GB RAM (dedicated ram for my plan)

For about 1.5 weeks now my friends and I have been getting this error when connecting to my hosted FTB server:

"Disconnected by Server
Failed to verify username, session authentication server unavailable!"

My server console says this when it happens:

2:20:20 PM
CONSOLE:
[WARNING] Unable to read from remote version authority.
2:20:20 PM
CONSOLE:
[WARNING] java.net.UnknownHostException: bit.ly
2:20:20 PM
CONSOLE:
[INFO] Version check attempt 2 failed, trying again in 10 seconds
2:20:22 PM
CONSOLE:
[INFO] Disconnecting myusername [/xx.xxx.xxx.xxx:63325]: Failed to verify username, session authentication server unavailable!
2:20:50 PM
CONSOLE:
[WARNING] Unable to read from remote version authority.
2:20:50 PM
CONSOLE:
[WARNING] java.net.UnknownHostException: bit.ly
2:20:50 PM
CONSOLE:
[INFO] Version check attempt 3 failed, trying again in 10 seconds
2:20:54 PM
CONSOLE:
[SEVERE] mcstats.org
2:21:00 PM
CONSOLE:
[INFO] Version check failed

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Edit Start: I found this in a server log, and it's more specific regarding the version check errors, but now I don't even know if those two issues (version check failure and authentication failure) are related:

2013-10-16 19:19:47 [WARNING] [Buildcraft] Unable to read from remote version authority.
2013-10-16 19:19:47 [WARNING] [Buildcraft] java.net.UnknownHostException: bit.ly
2013-10-16 19:19:47 [INFO] [Buildcraft] Version check attempt 1 failed, trying again in 10 seconds
2013-10-16 19:19:50 [WARNING] [ThermalExpansion] Version Check Failed: dl.dropbox.com
2013-10-16 19:19:50 [WARNING] [OmniTools] Version Check Failed: dl.dropbox.com
2013-10-16 19:20:00 [FINEST] [ForgeModLoader] Received valid FML login packet from /xx.xxx.xxx.xxx:63325
2013-10-16 19:20:17 [WARNING] [Buildcraft] Unable to read from remote version authority.
2013-10-16 19:20:17 [WARNING] [Buildcraft] java.net.UnknownHostException: bit.ly
2013-10-16 19:20:17 [INFO] [Buildcraft] Version check attempt 2 failed, trying again in 10 seconds
2013-10-16 19:20:47 [WARNING] [Buildcraft] Unable to read from remote version authority.
2013-10-16 19:20:47 [WARNING] [Buildcraft] java.net.UnknownHostException: bit.ly
2013-10-16 19:20:47 [INFO] [Buildcraft] Version check attempt 3 failed, trying again in 10 seconds
2013-10-16 19:20:57 [INFO] [Buildcraft] Version check failed

Edit End
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I contacted my host who says the issue is with the Minecraft authentication servers.
I contacted Mojang who tells me to contact the server admin or host.
When I place the server in temporary offline mode, I can connect fine.
I can connect fine to other multiplayer servers (I've tried a few random ones).

The "version check" failure message prompted me to question whether Mojang might be rejecting the oudated 1.47 MC version?

What about "java.net.UnknownHostException: bit.ly" though? The Oracle site states that this means "Thrown to indicate that the IP address of a host could not be determined." but I don't know where bit.ly comes from in there.

Any ideas, pointers? Thanks very much in advance!

 

[Francis Baster]

It sounds like your server is having trouble connecting to the Minecraft authentication servers. If the problem is not at Mojang, it may be a networking problem with your server. The fact that Buildcraft and Thermal Expansion are unable to check for updates is also a bit concerning.

If you are paying for a managed Minecraft server (it sounds like you are), then your host really is obligated to look into this problem on your behalf. Taking care of your server's network connection is their job.

Thrown to indicate that the IP address of a host could not be determined.
This sounds like your server may be having trouble resolving domain names. If you are able to SSH into the server, you could try downloading a file using the Linux command wget, if this fails, then you can prove the problem is with your host. (And hopefully convince them to fix it for you).

If it ends up being a problem with your server, I would ask for a partial refund considering your server has been down for 1.5 weeks, despite you submitting a support ticket and being told that the problem lies with Mojang.

 

[Elenoir]

Francis, I just want to say Thank You for your reply.

I wound up going out of town (vacation) and didn't get to read your response until I got back. Coincidentally my host had to move us to a new server location while I was gone. Once my FTB files were moved to the new server, all of the issues were "magically" resolved. You were correct that the issue was with the host, not Mojang, and not the FTB installation or settings. If it hadn't been for this server move I would have tried your suggestion, and actually just switched hosts to save more trouble.

I really do appreciate you taking the time to share your suggestions, especially because I thought it was an issue with the host from the beginning, but didn't know where to turn next.
Thanks again!

 

[camzenxio1]

it says failed to authenticate what do i do ?!?!?

 

[MysteriLuvsUAll]

I am new to this. I have my ftb account but the console says it failed to authenticate my account. How do i solve this problem or is it unsolvable?