Open a port and forward to it

[retrogamer76]

I'm trying to set up an FTP Server so friends can access/download files through the internet. I downloaded Fillezilla Server and created a user and shared directory. I can access the server from every computer on my network and log in using the username and password. But it doesn't seem to work over the internet. After I forwarded port 80 to 8080, my friend could access the server but when trying to log in, got a blank page.

Even after forwarding 80 to 8080, 8080 is coming up as blocked. I can't find any open ports. I can open port 8080, but I can't forward 80 to it and open it at the same time. I get a port range overlay error. I'm totally confused.

I'm using the Belkin n750 router right now. The Belkin AC 1750 is in the mail and should be here in a few days.

Thanks for any help.

 

[retrogamer76]

 

[thecoolnessrune]

For one thing, if you're doing FTP, the standard port that you need to forward is 21. That being said, using a standard port opens you up to tons of port scanners out there that look for standard ports. Additionally, many ISP's block incoming connections to standard server ports, including port 80, because your ISP more than likely has a clause in your contract stating that they do not allow servers.

Your best bet is to configure your FTP Server to listen for incoming connections on a high range port (like 55000), then forward that to your server. You could also keep the configuration you have now and configure the inbound port to be something like 55000 on the inbound port, and leave the private port as 21.

You would have to instruct your friend to manually specify the port number you set.

 

[QuietDad]

Make sure your ISP isnt blocking Port 21. Most of them do.

 

[retrogamer76]

For one thing, if you're doing FTP, the standard port that you need to forward is 21. That being said, using a standard port opens you up to tons of port scanners out there that look for standard ports. Additionally, many ISP's block incoming connections to standard server ports, including port 80, because your ISP more than likely has a clause in your contract stating that they do not allow servers.

Your best bet is to configure your FTP Server to listen for incoming connections on a high range port (like 55000), then forward that to your server. You could also keep the configuration you have now and configure the inbound port to be something like 55000 on the inbound port, and leave the private port as 21.

You would have to instruct your friend to manually specify the port number you set.

What if I forward 80 to a port that's not open? I couldn't find any open ports. I had to open port 21. But... I can't seem to forward and open a port at the same time. If I use the private port on two different lines It gives me an overlap error. I did get the FTP to work by selecting another option in my router to allow remote access to my router. It automatically opens port 8080 if I select that option... then as you see above, I forwarded 80 to 8080.

 

[JackMDS]

All port are open by Default.

What blocks traffic to them is the Firewalls. Port forward in Router means let the Port go through (Open) the NAT Firewall. You also need to open the port through the Computer's Software firewall.

As mentioned above using Port 80 or 21 is "Silly" they are security hazard and many ISPs Block them for in bound connection.

Set in FileZilla Server a port like 59595 and tell your friends to configure the FileZilla client to the same port. There is an Entry in the FileZilla client Sit Manager menu that is designed for port configuration.

Log to this page, there are pics showing port configuration.

https://wiki.filezilla-project.org/File:Settings_passivemode_FZServer.png

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

 

[retrogamer76]

When I try to change the port from 21 to 55000 or 59595, I can't access FTP anymore, even if I forward port 21 to 59595, and use 59595 in Filezilla server. I have also opened the port in windows firewall.

 

[Fardringle]

After you change the port in the Filezilla server, you need to tell your FTP client to use the same port number when you connect to the server.

 

[retrogamer76]

But what if I'm trying to access the ftp server from the web, via a browser?

I can only access it if my FTP Server is port 21, and I forward port 80 to 8080.

 

[retrogamer76]

I changed my server on Filezilla Server to listen to port 59595. In my router settings, I forwarded port 21 to 59595. When I try to access my ftp site from a web browser, it can't connect. I also tried just to open port 59595 in my router settings, and nothing. Then I set up a Windows firewall rule to allow 59595 in UDP and TCP, and still nothing. Disabled AVAST, still won't work.

It only works when I use port 21 on Filezilla Server, which is not blocked by my ISP. Whenever I try to open any port, it just doesn't work, via my router or Windows Firewall.

 

[JackMDS]

When I try to change the port from 21 to 55000 or 59595, I can't access FTP anymore, even if I forward port 21 to 59595, and use 59595 in Filezilla server. I have also opened the port in windows firewall.

Do not forward to 21, change the actual port assignment in the Filezilla configuration menu.

https://wiki.filezilla-project.org/File:Settings_passivemode_FZServer.png

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

 

[retrogamer76]

Do not forward to 21, change the actual port assignment in the Filezilla configuration menu.

https://wiki.filezilla-project.org/File:Settings_passivemode_FZServer.png

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

I did, still nothing. Doesn't work unless I use port 21.

 

[retrogamer76]

I'm gonna work on it and see if Windows Firewall is to blame. I'll report back with more detailed info later.

 

[retrogamer76]

All right, I downloaded Portforward Network Utilities to find out which ports are open or not.

Port 21 is not open, but I opened it in my router and then the test came back that it's open.

But I changed that and decided to use port 59595. I used port forwarding in my router and tested it with Portforward and it comes back as open. So far so good. Then in Filezilla Server I set it to listen on port 59595. Then I went to my ftp site via Firefox and it would not load. But when I appended :59595 to the address, it worked on my local network. Is there a way to set it up so you don't need to append the port when not using port 21?

I will try the online functions later tonight.

 

[JackMDS]

If fileZilla Client is used you can set the Site Manger to have an entry for your server so that everything is ready to logon with one click.

https://wiki.filezilla-project.org/FileZilla_Client_Tutorial_%28en%29

 

[retrogamer76]

If fileZilla Client is used you can set the Site Manger to have an entry for your server so that everything is ready to logon with one click.

https://wiki.filezilla-project.org/FileZilla_Client_Tutorial_(en)

I'm trying to get this to work over the internet. My girlfriend is trying to log in. I set the port to 59595. It prompts her for a username and password, but when she puts it in, she doesn't see the files i'm sharing, it says unavailable. Trying to log in with a browser, not an ftp client.

 

[retrogamer76]

I had to change it back. I opened port 21, and set filezilla server to use port 21. Also forwarded port 80 to 8080. Now she can sign in and see and grab the files. Why won't it work on port 59595?

 

[retrogamer76]

My new router came so I hooked it up. I like this interface better than my old Belkin router.

I don't know what I was thinking with port 80. That's only for http. I only need to make sure port 21 is open, which I did, and FTP works over the net.

Later I'm going to try changing the port again so I'm not using port 21 but 59595. I'll let you guys know the results.