Error: `secret` option required for sessions

[amalfahad]

I'm getting this error when I try to connect to the server. Can someone help, please?!
Thanks

alheety:~/local/etherpad/etherpad-lite$ bin/run.sh
Ensure that all dependencies are up to date... If this is the first time you have run Etherpad please be patient.
Ensure jQuery is downloaded and up to date...
Clear minfified cache...
ensure custom css/js files are created...
start...
[2014-01-21 01:08:27.089] [WARN] console - You need to set a sessionKey value in settings.json, this will allow your users to reconnect to your Etherpad Instance if your instance restarts
[2014-01-21 01:08:27.091] [WARN] console - DirtyDB is used. This is fine for testing but not recommended for production.
[2014-01-21 01:08:28.532] [INFO] console - Installed plugins: ep_etherpad-lite
[2014-01-21 01:08:28.574] [INFO] console - Your Etherpad git version is e4fbf4b
[2014-01-21 01:08:28.575] [INFO] console - Report bugs at https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite/issues
[2014-01-21 01:08:28.689] [INFO] console - info - 'socket.io started'
[2014-01-21 01:08:28.806] [INFO] console - You can access your Etherpad instance at http://0.0.0.0:9001/
[2014-01-21 01:08:28.806] [WARN] console - Admin username and password not set in settings.json. To access admin please uncomment and edit 'users' in settings.json
[2014-01-21 01:08:41.027] [ERROR] console - Error: secret option required for sessions
at Object.session as handle
at next (/home/alheety/local/etherpad/etherpad-lite/src/node_modules/express/node_modules/connect/lib/proto.js:199:15)
at Object.cookieParser as handle
at next (/home/alheety/local/etherpad/etherpad-lite/src/node_modules/express/node_modules/connect/lib/proto.js:199:15)
at Object.handle (/home/alheety/local/etherpad/etherpad-lite/src/node_modules/log4js/lib/connect-logger.js:95:2)
at next (/home/alheety/local/etherpad/etherpad-lite/src/node_modules/express/node_modules/connect/lib/proto.js:199:15)
at Object.exports.expressConfigure.args.app.use.log4js.connectLogger.level as handle
at next (/home/alheety/local/etherpad/etherpad-lite/src/node_modules/express/node_modules/connect/lib/proto.js:199:15)
at Object.exports.restartServer.app.configure.hooks.callAll.app as handle
at next (/home/alheety/local/etherpad/etherpad-lite/src/node_modules/express/node_modules/connect/lib/proto.js:199:15)
[2014-01-21 01:08:41.262] [ERROR] console - Error: secret option required for sessions
at Object.session as handle
at next (/home/alheety/local/etherpad/etherpad-lite/src/node_modules/express/node_modules/connect/lib/proto.js:199:15)
at Object.cookieParser as handle
at next (/home/alheety/local/etherpad/etherpad-lite/src/node_modules/express/node_modules/connect/lib/proto.js:199:15)
at Object.handle (/home/alheety/local/etherpad/etherpad-lite/src/node_modules/log4js/lib/connect-logger.js:95:2)
at next (/home/alheety/local/etherpad/etherpad-lite/src/node_modules/express/node_modules/connect/lib/proto.js:199:15)
at Object.exports.expressConfigure.args.app.use.log4js.connectLogger.level as handle
at next (/home/alheety/local/etherpad/etherpad-lite/src/node_modules/express/node_modules/connect/lib/proto.js:199:15)
at Object.exports.restartServer.app.configure.hooks.callAll.app as handle
at next (/home/alheety/local/etherpad/etherpad-lite/src/node_modules/express/node_modules/connect/lib/proto.js:199:15)

[Gared]

Open your settings.json and enter a value for the key "secret"

[amalfahad]

You saved my life, man!!
Many thanks!

[Gared]

You're welcome :-)

[JohnMcLear]

Hrm, should this be the case though? Afaik we fixed this on develop no? Maybe this guy is running an old settings.json that doesn't have a blank value set

[amalfahad]

I have followed the installation process given in:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Etherpad-liteInstallation

[JohnMcLear]

Weird cause the new crypto stuff isn't even in master branch yet afaik..

Can you try a clean install and see if you can replicate?

[amalfahad]

Amm.. I'm working on a paper deadline right now, in which I'm using Etherpad as my testing application.
I will try to do what you've asked, once I'm done with this, sounds good? :)

[Gared]

@JohnMcLear On master branch you get the message "You need to set a sessionKey value in settings.json, this will allow your users to reconnect to your Etherpad Instance if your instance restarts" on a clean installation.
You will get the above error message on develop branch only.

[JohnMcLear]

Prolly due to patch by @rhelmer i should have spotted this.. Whoopsi :)

[JohnMcLear]

I don't get this error on develop branch...

tested with..

  504  mkdir crypto
  505  cd crypto/
  506  ls
  507  git clone git@github.com:ether/etherpad-lite.git
  509  cd etherpad-lite/
  510  git checkout develop
  511  bin/run.sh 
  512  bin/run.sh 
  513  git branch

[webzwo0i]

happens only when sessionKey is an empty string and the pad is embedded via iframe

[webzwo0i]

hmm or maybe not...
i can reproduce the original bug no matter if pad is embedded or not. if sessionKey is not set and randomString is called in src/node/utils/Settings.js:204 it returns undefined.
#2068 but no clue why you don't have this err. node version is v0.10.24 here

[JohnMcLear]

0.10.4 here, will grab 0.10.24 and test..

[JohnMcLear]

hrm, unable to replicate, you sure you are checking out a new repo of the develop branch? Sounds like you are maybe using an old settings.json or something?