Resolving the mongodump Error: "Failed: Can't Create Session: Could Not Connect to Server"

Struggling with `mongodump` errors? Learn how to fix the “Failed: can't create session: could not connect to server” issue with our comprehensive guide.
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Troubleshooting the mongodump Error: "Failed: Can't Create Session: Could Not Connect to Server"

If you've been working with MongoDB and are using the mongodump command, you might have encountered an error message that reads: Failed: can't create session: could not connect to server: server selection error. This error can be quite frustrating, especially when your setup seems to be configured correctly. In this post, we’ll dive into the issue and offer clear solutions to get your mongodump command working.

Understanding the Problem

The error message you received indicates that there was a problem establishing a connection to the MongoDB server on your local machine. The specific error mentions a connection issue during the handshake process related to the SSL certificate validation. The full error message is as follows:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Key Points from the Error Message:

Connection Handshake Error: The problem arises during the SSL/TLS handshake, where your client is unable to validate the server's certificate.

IP SANs Requirement: This issue often occurs when the SSL certificate does not have the necessary Subject Alternative Names (SANs) for IP addresses.

Step-by-Step Solution

To overcome this error when using the mongodump command, you can use an additional parameter to ignore SSL certificate validation. Below are two approaches that helped in resolving the issue.

1. Using the --tlsInsecure Parameter

Including the --tlsInsecure parameter allows you to bypass strict SSL certificate checks. Here’s how you can do it:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

2. Simplified mongodump Command

In some cases, you might not need the full setup of SSL key files or might want to simplify your command. The following command also works with the --tlsInsecure flag:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Additional Recommendations

Verify SSL Certificates: If possible, check and recreate your SSL certificates to ensure that they include the necessary SANs, particularly for local IP addresses.

Check MongoDB Configuration: Make sure your MongoDB configuration aligns with the settings for TLS/SSL connections.

Conclusion

If you've been facing the mongodump error regarding session creation and server connections, the --tlsInsecure parameter offers a straightforward workaround. While this solution allows you to bypass certain SSL certificate validation errors, consider addressing the root of the issue by ensuring your SSL certificates are correctly configured.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to successfully run your mongodump command without encountering the aforementioned error.

Happy coding, and may your database backups be smooth and effortless!