Recent FTP-problem

1

I have always been using the standard Windows10 FTP-program to upload a file to a FTP-server.

Never had problems with that till recently.

When I execute exactly the same script (or do it interactively), connecting to the server works, but the “PUT filename” initiates a PORT which is also sucessful. But after that, after a long time, I get the error “425 Can’t open data connection”.
At the server, the file which was uploaded is 0-byte long.

I have the impression this started with one of the last IPFIRE-updates.

Has something changed in IPFIRE which needs a new/different configuration to make this work again ?

The strange thing is, when I use a FTP-connection in TotalCommander and transfer the same file : no problems at all and the file is uploaded correctly.

So I’m confused about what’s going on !

Thanks

2

Do I get you right?

Software A doesn’t work, Software B works, but it’s the server’s fault? Because of an core update while Windows 10 doesn’t update, at least every month? Funny! :unamused:

3

No, you didn’t get it right !

  1. I didn’t write anything about (server-)fault, reread please
  2. between Working and NotWorking, the only related thing that changed in my complete environment is the Core-update(s) of IPFIRE !
  3. Windows-updates are NOT automatic here and ftp.exe is File Version 10.0.17763.1 dated 15/09/2018 !
    :unamused:
4

Do you use the command line in win10 to transfer the file or it is a gui program? …

5

That is the point. You didn’t write much at all. Where is the server running? On ipfire or another computer?

Aha now you are certain about that.

Mine is 10.0.18362.1 - 19.03.2019

ftp.exe has no gui - tui only!

6

The “425 cannot open data connection” error looks like an Active v. Passive issue with ftp. In Active, ftp will start a negotiation on port 21 and send data over port 20. In Passive mode, data is sent over a high port. That may explain why TotalCommander works (which may use PASV) but basic ftp does not.

7

ftp.exe on Windows AFAIK don’t support PASV Try to use WinSCP.

8

ftp.exe is used in a batch(command)-file

9

If your server is Linux, then from it try:

curl -O {http://whatever file}

That should avoid the passive v active issue. The same could be done from a Linux workstation but I don’t know how/if it would work from Win

10

Exactly ! Thanks for the constructive reply

That’s what I was thinking of and wrote “needs a new/different configuration” because I see no other reason why this problem suddenly started. Somehow port 20 was working in the past and is now blocked. Don’t the recent core-updates have something like another firewall-rules implemenation which could explain this ? Could it be Squid-related (I don’t see that anymore in the gui) ?

11

WinSCP can also be used into batch file, man :wink: And supports PASV and active FTP.

12

Try creating a rule as follows:
source standard networks RED, destination standard networks GREEN,
protocol preset services ftp-data, accept, save, enable rule

test your ftp program again …

13

Hi Pike, been using WinSCP for years and never tried it in batch. Thanks for the tip. The upload is working now.

Thanks

14

Hi Pavlos, I created the rule and tested ftp.exe with it, but the problem is the same

Depite I’m able to upload now with WinSCP, I still would like to know how to solve the problem with ftp.exe.

Thanks