get_service_paths master returns null when system-console invoked remotely over ssh

[solved]

Turns out that the problem is related to installation of Linux JTAG usb blaster driver. I have 2 Quartus versions - 12.0 and 12.1 in my drive. I installed usb blaster driver from 12.1 according to the procedure described here - eecg.toronto.edu/~laforest/USB-Blaster-Debian.html. Later, I decided to switch my Quartus version to 12.0. But the driver file (<Quartus install path>/linux/quartus/linux/pgm_parts.txt) was sourced from 12.1. To fix the issue, I switched the driver file to match my Quartus version (12.0).

As a sanity check for correct driver installation, execute

>jtagconfig

and it should return

1) USB-Blaster [5-2]

024090DD EP4SGX230(.|ES)

for SIV device

The driver installation procedure for Ubuntu/Linux can be found here - eecg.toronto.edu/~laforest/USB-Blaster-Debian.html

I hope this post helps many others!

Thanks

Deepak