Need help setting up a FTP server!

[codyray10]

I've taken an interest in trying to set up a little FTP server. I came across a program called FileZilla that seemed pretty popular for doing so, but I dont fully understand it or have the general 'know-how'. I've gotten to the point where I can get into it from my computer that I set it up on, but not from the other computer on my home network, or any other external computers.

Does anyone have any experience with this program? Or setting up an ftp in general, and could possibly give me some help. Anything would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ken g6]

Sounds like a likely firewall issue. You might need to make an exception in Windows Firewall.

 

[dbarton]

Filezilla just connects to an existing server on a machine elsewhere.

Unless I'm confused it won't set up an ftp server at all.

 

[Ken g6]

Seems like it used to be that way, but now FileZilla has a Windows-only server.

 

[codyray10]

Originally posted by: dbarton

Filezilla just connects to an existing server on a machine elsewhere.

Unless I'm confused it won't set up an ftp server at all.

Yeah I believe you're thinking of FileZilla Client. They have a server app now, thats what im using.

 

[ChunkiMunki]

I would create an anonymous acccount folder/login and try to connect with a client from other computers on your network. Then when you get more confident, add a password folder/login with different permissions. To connect from the internet you need to open up the ftp hole in your firewall or router. It takes some practice and trial/error, but you'll eventually get there.

 

[Ika]

For my FTP server, I use FileZilla server interface and a DynDNS IP router (basically, it connects my dynamic IP to a static DNS, so I don't have to look up my IP every time someone wants to connect to me).

 

[codyray10]

When I would try to connect to it from the other computer just using IE, it would give me the ftp login prompt. Once I provided my login it would load for a few and then go to 'page cannot be displayed.' So I completely turned off my firewall on the machine hosting the ftp just to see what would happen then, and it worked! So Firewall is obviously the problem. However, I've made all the exceptions I am supposed to! I think anyway. I've added FileZilla.exe to the exceptions and also added port 21 as an exception. I've logged in to my router and forwarded ports 21-22. Still nothing though if I keep Windows Firewall on. Hmmm.

 

[codyray10]

After turning firewall off and then turning it back on it works fine. I still cant get any external machines connected (computers outside of my network) Any suggestions?

 

[mc866]

If you are behind a router be sure to forward port 21 to allow incoming connections. Next be sure to go into the windows firewall and allow an exception for Filezilla server.exe, make sure you don't use Filezilla server interface.exe. Lastly under the Filezilla server options make sure to go to the passive mode options and select use the following IP, and enter your external IP address. These are the steps I took to be able to access my FTP server from outside my network.

 

[codyray10]

Originally posted by: mc866
If you are behind a router be sure to forward port 21 to allow incoming connections. Next be sure to go into the windows firewall and allow an exception for Filezilla server.exe, make sure you don't use Filezilla server interface.exe. Lastly under the Filezilla server options make sure to go to the passive mode options and select use the following IP, and enter your external IP address. These are the steps I took to be able to access my FTP server from outside my network.

I've already done all of the above. When you say "enter your external IP" could you explain which IP that is exactly. I currently have 'use the following ip' as 192.168.1.100 which is the ip address of the machine I'm hosting the ftp server on. Is that right? With all the exceptions made in windows firewall and ports added/forwarded, I can get in from my local network but not any machines outside of my network.

 

[mc866]

Originally posted by: codyray10

Originally posted by: mc866
If you are behind a router be sure to forward port 21 to allow incoming connections. Next be sure to go into the windows firewall and allow an exception for Filezilla server.exe, make sure you don't use Filezilla server interface.exe. Lastly under the Filezilla server options make sure to go to the passive mode options and select use the following IP, and enter your external IP address. These are the steps I took to be able to access my FTP server from outside my network.

I've already done all of the above. When you say "enter your external IP" could you explain which IP that is exactly. I currently have 'use the following ip' as 192.168.1.100 which is the ip address of the machine I'm hosting the ftp server on. Is that right? With all the exceptions made in windows firewall and ports added/forwarded, I can get in from my local network but not any machines outside of my network.

So 192.168.1.100 is your local ip, you'll need a static ip to use if you want access from outside your lan. I've been using the NoIP free service. Set it to run as a service when your computer starts and it will spoof a static external ip. Once this is set you enter this ip into the Filezilla setup. You can also setup RDP with this external ip if you like too.

Hope this makes some sense, let me know if you have questions.

 

[codyray10]

Originally posted by: mc866

Originally posted by: codyray10

Originally posted by: mc866
If you are behind a router be sure to forward port 21 to allow incoming connections. Next be sure to go into the windows firewall and allow an exception for Filezilla server.exe, make sure you don't use Filezilla server interface.exe. Lastly under the Filezilla server options make sure to go to the passive mode options and select use the following IP, and enter your external IP address. These are the steps I took to be able to access my FTP server from outside my network.

I've already done all of the above. When you say "enter your external IP" could you explain which IP that is exactly. I currently have 'use the following ip' as 192.168.1.100 which is the ip address of the machine I'm hosting the ftp server on. Is that right? With all the exceptions made in windows firewall and ports added/forwarded, I can get in from my local network but not any machines outside of my network.

So 192.168.1.100 is your local ip, you'll need a static ip to use if you want access from outside your lan. I've been using the NoIP free service. Set it to run as a service when your computer starts and it will spoof a static external ip. Once this is set you enter this ip into the Filezilla setup. You can also setup RDP with this external ip if you like too.

Hope this makes some sense, let me know if you have questions.

Think you could give me a sort of walkthrough with this NoIP. I checked run as service. Under connection I selected Override auto connection detection and selected my ethernet adapter. Logged into my router and forwarded port 80. In the NoIp it says my current ip address is 98.209.226.81. Where do I go from here?

 

[mc866]

So once it's up and running you should see an icon for it in your system tray. If you mouse over it you should see the ip it's assigned. To double check that it's working go to the web and google what's my ip. The browser results should match the ip listed by Noip. If it does this is considered your "external" ip. Put this ip in the filezilla config and try and connect from an external computer.

 

[codyray10]

Think you could possibly test it for me? I have no way to do it atm. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="ftp://98.209.226.81">ftp://98.209.226.81</a> Username: User PW: aaaaaa

I just quickly shared My Documents folder, so thats what you should hopefully see

 

[mc866]

Appears to work, I see a bunch of files. You should see that I logged in also.

 

[codyray10]

Sweeeet, I see you!

 

[codyray10]

Thanks alot man! Really appreciate the help.

 

[mc866]

Not a problem, happy I could help. I struggled with my first install a bit too.

 

[z0mb13]

Hello all I did all of the above but whenever I try to connect to my server using my external IP i get the following error message: "425 Can't open data connection"

Thanks for any help!

 

[Ken g6]

Can you set your FTP client to use "passive FTP"?

 

[z0mb13]

Yes I did follow mc866's example and use passive FTP, but it still doesnt work

If I connect locally it works, but if I connect from external IP I get the 425 error message..

Some specs if it matters: visa ultimate 32 bit, wireless router, cable tv internet

 

[mc866]

Do you have a static IP or did you set one up with noIP?

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: mc866
Do you have a static IP or did you set one up with noIP?

I set one up with noIP

 

[mc866]

Just to verify you've done the following

Did you forward port 21 on your router?
Did you allow an exception in the windows firewall for filezilla.exe?

You've setup your noIP client,
Have you made sure to set the filezilla settings as passive and use the IP number that noIP has given you?