F.A.Q & Common Problems

 

This section is compilation of the more frequent questions and problems and their answers.

  1. Users cannot connect to the FTP server.
  2. Users can connect to the FTP server but cannot initiate any transfer including directory listings.
  3. My firewall software detects permanent activity even when there is no connection... What is it ?

 

 

  1. Users cannot connect to the FTP server.

    There may be many different reasons why it could fail. Here is a list of the things to be checked out:
    Have you clicked on the fire in the upper left corner so that it be green ?
    Haven't you changed the port used by the FTP server ? By default it is port 21.

    More seriously, if the computer where is located the server is behind a firewall or a router, you must configure it so that it routes incoming connections on the FTP port to the right computer (ie. the one where the server runs). You may also want to configure the router so that it also route passive connections which are default on the 2048-2148 port range. In any case you should refer to the documentation of your firewall or your router. Note that some basic routers do not provide the ability to route incoming connections.

  2. Users can connect to the FTP server but cannot initiate any transfer including directory listings.

    It is likely that the user is behind a firewall or a router. In this case the user must use passives connections. This is a classic setting in most FTP clients, often located with the options concerning firewalls. Note that if the server is also behind a router, the router ( or firewall ) must be configured to route incoming passive requests (check question 1 for more details).

  3. My firewall software detects permanent activity even when there is no connection... What is it ?

    There is nothing to worry about. CesarFTP is divided into two parts: the controller, and the server. The controller controls the server and communicate with it using TCP/IP, usually on port 8540. This traffic is local, and nothing is sent on the Internet. If you really want to check this up, you can try to leave the server running and close the controller.