Member Avatar for cdawley4

Hi,

I know this isn't related to Linux in general, but I have my webpages on my Windows XP box. I want to upload the files to my linux box. I am unable to upload them using CuteFTP or some other program like that. I have port 21 forwarded in my router to the linux box. I can't use the ftp program in Windows either. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do?

Thanks,

Chris

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Cain

Dani AI

Generated

As pointed out, logs and the server firewall are good starting points. The situation described by (Windows XP client, port 21 forwarded, uploads failing) is most often caused by one of three things: the FTP daemon not listening on the expected interface, the server or router blocking the FTP data channels, or the client/server using the wrong FTP mode (active vs passive). A focused checklist and a small server-side config example follow.

Confirm the server is listening and inspect FTP-specific logs or the system journal. Also test from inside the LAN first (connect to the server's private IP) to separate router/NAT problems from server problems.

# check listening socket (modern/legacy)
ss -ltnp | grep ':21'
netstat -ltnp | grep ':21'

# look for the FTP daemon process
ps aux | egrep 'vsftpd|proftpd|pure-ftpd|wu-ftpd'

# view service logs (systemd) or search syslog for ftp messages
journalctl -u vsftpd --since "1 hour ago"
grep -i ftp /var/log/* 2>/dev/null

If the control connection (port 21) connects but uploads stall, it is almost always an active/passive NAT issue. Configure the FTP server to use a fixed passive port range, forward that range on the router to the Linux host, and allow those ports in the server firewall. Example vsftpd lines:

# relevant vsftpd.conf entries
local_enable=YES
write_enable=YES
chroot_local_user=YES
pasv_enable=YES
pasv_min_port=40000
pasv_max_port=40010
pasv_address=<public-ip>

Notes and pitfalls: do not edit firewall rules with filesystem ACL tools (getfacl/setfacl are for files—use the distribution's firewall tool instead). If using RHEL/CentOS with SELinux in enforcing mode, FTP write access may be blocked unless ftp-specific booleans/contexts are adjusted (for example, enable ftp home write boolean). Some ISPs block inbound port 21 on residential lines; testing from an external host or switching to SFTP/SCP (SSH-based transfer over port 22) avoids FTP NAT/data-channel issues and is strongly recommended for both reliability and security.

Member Avatar for Cain

tail -f /var/log/messages on your linux box and then
try to connect as you are now. watch for errors.
you may want to check out iptables to see if the
firewall is blocking traffic for ftp (default on a RHES install)
anyway the firewall will sqawk about it and usually report it in
the logs

first is it on?:
chkconfig iptables --list
service iptables status

then what ports ?:
cat /etc/sysconfig/iptables

you should use getfacl and setfacl to edit this if im not mistaken, its been
a while. but back up the file before you do. do a 'man iptables' or a 'man
getfacl' to see syntax and related commands.

if you want to see if youre having a linux firewall issue disable iptables
temporarily by the following method:
service iptables stop

then after testing is done (restart it):
service iptables start

you can disable iptables (firewall) permanantly this way:
service iptables stop
chkconfig iptables off
(it wont come up on a reboot)

you can also test (from a putty tool or a windows cmd
dos shell on your windows box or the like) "

telnet {ipaddressoflinuxbox} 21

You could always use WinSCP over a ssh tunnel..
cake to use and a quick install.
Download WinSCP here
This is quite flexible for what you are talking about.

Some other tools for windows to linux administration
putty (secure shell, telnet, etc) and psftp (a sftptool)
downloadable from (the UK): Download putty Tools
this should suit your needs nicely

enjoy,
Cain

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