Setting up FTP server

[Vista Newbie]

I am not sure which newsgroup to ask this question in.

I am trying to set up an FTP file server and am very frustrated because I
have not been able to connect to it.

Vista Home Premium x64
4GB RAM
Intel Core2 Duo T9300 @ 2.50 GHz
Windows Firewall - On
FTP port forwarding enabled in router

I have tried connecting using a host name (mynickname.hostname.net) which is
correctly resolving to my broadband Internet IP address. The server
software allows me to configure it to use the external IP address in passive
mode. I also tried using the IP address to connect. I have checked the
firewall settings on the router and on the Windows firewall and there is
nothing that should prevent the connection.

Suggestions?

 

[Mr. Arnold]

I am not sure which newsgroup to ask this question in.

I am trying to set up an FTP file server and am very frustrated because I
have not been able to connect to it.

Vista Home Premium x64
4GB RAM
Intel Core2 Duo T9300 @ 2.50 GHz
Windows Firewall - On
FTP port forwarding enabled in router

I have tried connecting using a host name (mynickname.hostname.net) which
is correctly resolving to my broadband Internet IP address. The server
software allows me to configure it to use the external IP address in
passive mode. I also tried using the IP address to connect. I have
checked the firewall settings on the router and on the Windows firewall
and there is nothing that should prevent the connection.

Suggestions?

Take the machine and connect it directly to the modem and see what happens,
of course with the Vista FW/packet filter enabled and the FTP exception rule
active.

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

I am not sure which newsgroup to ask this question in.

I am trying to set up an FTP file server and am very frustrated because I
have not been able to connect to it.

Vista Home Premium x64
4GB RAM
Intel Core2 Duo T9300 @ 2.50 GHz
Windows Firewall - On
FTP port forwarding enabled in router

I have tried connecting using a host name (mynickname.hostname.net) which
is correctly resolving to my broadband Internet IP address. The server
software allows me to configure it to use the external IP address in
passive mode. I also tried using the IP address to connect. I have
checked the firewall settings on the router and on the Windows firewall
and there is nothing that should prevent the connection.

How are you trying to connect? Surely not from your own LAN?

I have an HSDPA modem for my laptop now, but before, I found it useful to
troubleshoot and test my FTP server using an online FTP client, like this
one:
http://www.net2ftp.com/

What port are you using? Usually, when you open the default FTP port in a
firewall or forward it in a router, it uses the default port 21.

Are you sure that you 'forwarded' the port 21 (or whatever you are using) to
your internal FTP server's IP address, if you are using a NAT router? This
is not the same as opening the port in a firewall in the router.

If you have remote access to a remote machine, you can try pinging your FTP
port using the command PORTPING from www.tools4ever.com.

ss.

 

[DanS]

I am not sure which newsgroup to ask this question in.

I am trying to set up an FTP file server and am very frustrated
because I have not been able to connect to it.

Vista Home Premium x64
4GB RAM
Intel Core2 Duo T9300 @ 2.50 GHz
Windows Firewall - On
FTP port forwarding enabled in router

I have tried connecting using a host name (mynickname.hostname.net)
which is correctly resolving to my broadband Internet IP address. The
server software allows me to configure it to use the external IP
address in passive mode. I also tried using the IP address to
connect. I have checked the firewall settings on the router and on
the Windows firewall and there is nothing that should prevent the
connection.

Suggestions?

In addition to SS's response, FTP require 2 ports. The default being 21
for the initial contact, but it also needs another for the actual data
transfer. I can't remember if the default other is 20 or 22, but one of
those.

What is the error message given by the client ? Your post says you can't
connect at all. After getting your inital connection going, if the client
can connect, but then fails getting the data (data here means dir
listing's as well as actual files), try it w/o a passive mode connection.
My FTP sits behind a NAT rtr and if you try to connect with PASV mode, it
will fail with the data channel (even though that is what they clain PASV
mode is for).

 

[Vista Newbie]

news:[email protected]...

is nothing that should prevent the connection.

How are you trying to connect? Surely not from your own LAN?

I have an HSDPA modem for my laptop now, but before, I found it useful to
troubleshoot and test my FTP server using an online FTP client, like this
one:
http://www.net2ftp.com/

What port are you using? Usually, when you open the default FTP port in a
firewall or forward it in a router, it uses the default port 21.

Are you sure that you 'forwarded' the port 21 (or whatever you are using)
to your internal FTP server's IP address, if you are using a NAT router?
This is not the same as opening the port in a firewall in the router.

If you have remote access to a remote machine, you can try pinging your
FTP port using the command PORTPING from www.tools4ever.com.

ss.

As a matter of fact, I was testing the connection using the net2ftp website.

Yes, I am sure that I set up the router port forwarding to direct all FTP
activity to port 21. I do not see an option in the port forwarding
configuration area to forward to an IP address. The options were:

Protocol: FTP or UDP or Both (I selected Both)
Source Ports: Any or Single or Range (I selected Any)
Destination Ports: Single or Range (I selected 21)

The server software has a setting for Passive mode which tells the program
which IP address to use, the local address or the internet address. I have
toggled this setting back and forth and neither setting seems to allow the
connection.

Additionally, for troubleshooting purposes, I disabled the Windows firewall
to attempt the connection.

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

I do not see an option in the port forwarding
configuration area to forward to an IP address.

This really does sound like your problem. There has to be forwarding in the
NAT to a particular machine on the internal LAN. What make and model is
your router? You should be able to find exactly how to do it here:
http://www.portforward.com/english/applications/port_forwarding/FTP/FTPindex.htm

Protocol: FTP or UDP or Both (I selected Both)

Surely you meant TCP? You only need TCP. Disable UDP.

Source Ports: Any or Single or Range (I selected Any)

Just select Port 21 as source.

Destination Ports: Single or Range (I selected 21)
Okay.

The server software has a setting for Passive mode which tells the program
which IP address to use, the local address or the internet address. I
have
toggled this setting back and forth and neither setting seems to allow the
connection.

I'd personally prefer to disable PASV connections, as I don't seem to ever
need them from the clients. Most routers these days have special handling
for FTP connections, so I don't think clients using NAT need to forward
ports or use PASV. I may be wrong, but that is my own personal experience
with never having any problems with people connected to my server, from a
variety of connection types.

Additionally, for troubleshooting purposes, I disabled the Windows
firewall
to attempt the connection.

Just remember to put it back on afterwards, although it's not really that
useful behind NAT.

ss.

 

[Vista Newbie]

news:[email protected]:

What is the error message given by the client ? Your post says you can't
connect at all. After getting your inital connection going, if the client
can connect, but then fails getting the data (data here means dir
listing's as well as actual files), try it w/o a passive mode connection.
My FTP sits behind a NAT rtr and if you try to connect with PASV mode, it
will fail with the data channel (even though that is what they clain PASV
mode is for).

OK... I manually added the server program to the exceptions of the Windows
Firewall. Now, I can connect BUT, I get the following error:

Error: Failed to retrieve directory listing

Below is part of the client log file:

Status: Resolving address of my.homeftp.net
Status: Connecting to 71.191.150.001:21...
Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome
message...
Response: 220-FileZilla Server version 0.9.24 beta
Response: 220-written by Tim Kosse ([email protected])
Response: 220 Please visit http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla/
Command: USER TestUserName
Response: 331 Password required for TestUserName
Command: PASS ******
Response: 230 Logged on
Command: SYST
Response: 215 UNIX emulated by FileZilla
Command: FEAT
Response: 211-Features:
Response: MDTM
Response: REST STREAM
Response: SIZE
Response: MLST type*;size*;modify*;
Response: MLSD
Response: UTF8
Response: CLNT
Response: MFMT
Response: 211 End
Status: Connected
Status: Retrieving directory listing...
Command: CWD /
Response: 250 CWD successful. "/" is current directory.
Command: PWD
Response: 257 "/" is current directory.
Command: TYPE I
Response: 200 Type set to I
Command: PORT 192,168,1,2,193,129
Response: 200 Port command successful
Command: LIST
Response: 150 Opening data channel for directory list.
Response: 425 Can't open data connection.
Error: Failed to retrieve directory listing

 

[DanS]

OK... I manually added the server program to the exceptions of the
Windows Firewall. Now, I can connect BUT, I get the following error:

Error: Failed to retrieve directory listing

Below is part of the client log file:

Status: Resolving address of my.homeftp.net
Status: Connecting to 71.191.150.001:21...
Status: Connection established, waiting for
welcome message...
Response: 220-FileZilla Server version 0.9.24 beta
Response: 220-written by Tim Kosse ([email protected])
Response: 220 Please visit
http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla/ Command: USER
TestUserName Response: 331 Password required for TestUserName
Command: PASS ******
Response: 230 Logged on
Command: SYST
Response: 215 UNIX emulated by FileZilla
Command: FEAT
Response: 211-Features:
Response: MDTM
Response: REST STREAM
Response: SIZE
Response: MLST type*;size*;modify*;
Response: MLSD
Response: UTF8
Response: CLNT
Response: MFMT
Response: 211 End
Status: Connected
Status: Retrieving directory listing...
Command: CWD /
Response: 250 CWD successful. "/" is current directory.
Command: PWD
Response: 257 "/" is current directory.
Command: TYPE I
Response: 200 Type set to I
Command: PORT 192,168,1,2,193,129
Response: 200 Port command successful
Command: LIST
Response: 150 Opening data channel for directory list.
Response: 425 Can't open data connection.
Error: Failed to retrieve directory listing

I don't see a PASV mode command set, so did you try to open/forward port
20 & 22 also.

 

[Vista Newbie]

news:ej#[email protected]:

I don't see a PASV mode command set, so did you try to open/forward port
20 & 22 also.

Your instructions are to open port 20 and 22. Where do I do this? In the
Router settings?

I'm afraid I am confused and do not understand what it is that you are
suggesting. I had played around with the Passive mode settings in the
server configuration. Toggled it On and Off and tried supplying the IP
address of the local host. I also selected Passive mode in the FTP client
software. See the new log file below.

Status: Resolving address of my.homeftp.net
Status: Connecting to 71.191.150.001:21...
Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...
Response: 220-FileZilla Server version 0.9.24 beta
Response: 220-written by Tim Kosse ([email protected])
Response: 220 Please visit http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla/
Command: USER TestUserName
Response: 331 Password required for TestUserName
Command: PASS ******
Response: 230 Logged on
Command: SYST
Response: 215 UNIX emulated by FileZilla
Command: FEAT
Response: 211-Features:
Response: MDTM
Response: REST STREAM
Response: SIZE
Response: MLST type*;size*;modify*;
Response: MLSD
Response: UTF8
Response: CLNT
Response: MFMT
Response: 211 End
Status: Connected
Status: Retrieving directory listing...
Command: PWD
Response: 257 "/" is current directory.
Command: TYPE I
Response: 200 Type set to I
Command: PORT 192,168,1,2,194,181
Response: 200 Port command successful
Command: LIST
Response: 150 Opening data channel for directory list.
Response: 425 Can't open data connection.
Error: Failed to retrieve directory listing
Status: Disconnected from server
Status: Resolving address of wpla.homeftp.net
Status: Connecting to 71.191.150.187:21...
Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...
Response: 220-FileZilla Server version 0.9.24 beta
Response: 220-written by Tim Kosse ([email protected])
Response: 220 Please visit http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla/
Command: USER Wilfred
Response: 331 Password required for wilfred
Command: PASS ******
Response: 230 Logged on
Command: SYST
Response: 215 UNIX emulated by FileZilla
Command: FEAT
Response: 211-Features:
Response: MDTM
Response: REST STREAM
Response: SIZE
Response: MLST type*;size*;modify*;
Response: MLSD
Response: UTF8
Response: CLNT
Response: MFMT
Response: 211 End
Status: Connected
Status: Retrieving directory listing...
Command: PWD
Response: 257 "/" is current directory.
Command: TYPE I
Response: 200 Type set to I
Command: PASV
Response: 227 Entering Passive Mode (192,168,1,2,194,183)
Status: Server sent passive reply with unroutable address. Using server
address instead.
Command: LIST
Response: 425 Can't open data connection.
Error: Failed to retrieve directory listing

 

[+Bob+]

Your instructions are to open port 20 and 22. Where do I do this? In the
Router settings?

I'm afraid I am confused and do not understand what it is that you are
suggesting. I had played around with the Passive mode settings in the
server configuration. Toggled it On and Off and tried supplying the IP
address of the local host. I also selected Passive mode in the FTP client
software. See the new log file below.

Newbie:

Try shutting off the Windows Firewall completely. See if it works. If
it does, you know you are down to a firewall problem. If not,
something else is stopping you.

Also, are you sure you want to do this? If it's local file sharing
you are after, you can do it better through a network share. If it's
external access you want to provide, I would suggest simply setting up
a domain ($10) and contracting with a host ($5/month) and doing it
that way. You will get much better performance, more control, and you
don't have to open up your machine and your local network to any
potential security risks. Not to mention, depending on how you value
your time, it's much cheaper.

 

[Chicken Little Albright]

I don't see a PASV mode command set, so did you try to open/forward port
20 & 22 also.

TCP ports 20 and 21 are the FTP ports.

 

[DanS]

Your instructions are to open port 20 and 22. Where do I do this? In
the Router settings?

Yes, the rtr settings. Just as you forwarded port 21 to the FTP IP, try 20.
If that dosn't work, try 22.

Mine has no PASV mode set in the server, and a client can not connect with
PASV mode.

 

[the wharf rat]

I'm afraid I am confused and do not understand what it is that you are
suggesting. I had played around with the Passive mode settings in the

Look, setting up ftp through firewalls is always a pain. Do you need
ftp or could you just http, that is, an ordinary web server?

If you have to have filezilla here's a good tutorial on setting it
up:

http://wiki.filezilla-project.org/Network_Configuration

See what a pain setting up passive mode through a nat connection is?
At least turn off passive and force regular active connections...

 

[the wharf rat]

Try shutting off the Windows Firewall completely. See if it works. If

Passive ftp will almost certainly not work through a simple
nat firewall.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

OK... I manually added the server program to the exceptions of the Windows
Firewall. Now, I can connect BUT, I get the following error:

Error: Failed to retrieve directory listing

Below is part of the client log file:

<snippage>

Another problem you are going to face is that the IP address is going to
change. Work around this by getting a free Dynamic DNS account and client.

HTH
-pk

 

[Vista Newbie]

Newbie:

Try shutting off the Windows Firewall completely. See if it works. If
it does, you know you are down to a firewall problem. If not,
something else is stopping you.

Also, are you sure you want to do this? If it's local file sharing
you are after, you can do it better through a network share. If it's
external access you want to provide, I would suggest simply setting up
a domain ($10) and contracting with a host ($5/month) and doing it
that way. You will get much better performance, more control, and you
don't have to open up your machine and your local network to any
potential security risks. Not to mention, depending on how you value
your time, it's much cheaper.

Thanks for the advice. I think I am past the firewall issue. I am
connecting to the server but am having problems accessing the folders and
files. FYI, I think it's probably a software configuration problem. I
successfully connect and navigate through folders when I change the
application. If I use Serv-U FTP server, all is well. When I use
Filezilla, I get stopped at the List command:

Command: LIST
Response: 150 Opening data channel for directory list.
Response: 425 Can't open data connection.
Error: Failed to retrieve directory listing

I have used Filezilla in the past but it has always required tweaking the
default settings quite a bit and it is not as robust as Serv-U. I am
sticking with Serv-U for now.

I have two computers networked and share files between them through the
network without any problems. The FTP file server is just a super
convenient way for me to exchange files directly with my son without having
to ever do anything other than launch the server program. It's worked for
us for years and it is super convenient.

Thanks again.

 

[Vista Newbie]

Another problem you are going to face is that the IP address is going to
change. Work around this by getting a free Dynamic DNS account and
client.

HTH
-pk

Thanks. I do use dynamic DNS. The host name resolves correctly to my IP
address. I've been using DynDNS from http://www.dyndns.com for years.

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

I have two computers networked and share files between them through the
network without any problems. The FTP file server is just a super
convenient way for me to exchange files directly with my son without
having to ever do anything other than launch the server program. It's
worked for us for years and it is super convenient.

I use my FTP server for exchanging files for my work, but seeing that you
are sharing files with a trusted person, I think a VPN is more suitable for
you, and also more secure to hacking.

Hamachi is free and really easy to configure. The only problem is the free
version does not run as a service, so you have to log into an account to run
it. For this reason I use OpenVPN, so I can access my files remotely, with
my laptop.

http://www.logmeinhamachi.com/

http://www.openvpn.net/

ss.

 

[+Bob+]

Thanks for the advice. I think I am past the firewall issue. I am
connecting to the server but am having problems accessing the folders and
files. FYI, I think it's probably a software configuration problem. I
successfully connect and navigate through folders when I change the
application. If I use Serv-U FTP server, all is well. When I use
Filezilla, I get stopped at the List command:

If you are using FileZilla 3.n, you might want to back up to the last
version 2. Version 3 is a half baked, not ready for prime time, should
never have been released, solution.