timeout errors

[dkmanning]

I have the FileZilla server software installed on a windows machine running XP Proffessional. One anonymous user set up, port set to 21, passive mode set up just like the documentation. When I test the server using ftptest.net this is what I get:

Status: Resolving address of 10.1.10.88
Status: Connecting to 10.1.10.88
Error: Connection attempt timed out
Timeouts are usually caused by some router and/or firewall that is interrupting connection
Try uninstalling all firewalls and plug your computer directly into your modem, bypassing the router

The computer has always been plugged directly into a Comcast Business IP Gateway (model SMC8014), no router involved, but it is a dynamic IP address. I have Windows firewall turned off, the Mcafee security software firewall, that was installed by Comcast, is turned off.
I have the server using the actual internal IP address - 10.1.10.88 - but I have also tried retrieving the external IP from http://ip.filezilla-project.org/ip.php, with the same results.

I'm stumped. Do I need to actually un-install the firewalls?

and could someone explain how the external ip retrieval URL works?

Thanks for any help,
dk

[boco]

If you set up your server according to the Network Configuration guide, then FZ Server already knows your external IP, it's just you who doesn't. 10.1.10.88 is a LAN-only IP (Class A private LAN range), it can't be used over the internet because it can't be routed. You must enter your external IP into the test!

and could someone explain how the external ip retrieval URL works?

It doesn't work for your browser or other software except FileZilla products to prevent 3rd party abuse. But if you select it in FZ Server, it will work (and is recommended for dynamic IPs).

@botg: Shouldn't the ftptest.net site return a big fat error to people who try to enter LAN IPs?

[botg]

@botg: Shouldn't the ftptest.net site return a big fat error to people who try to enter LAN IPs?

Yes, it should.

[dkmanning]

Thanks for clearing that up. If the FileZilla server retrieves the dynamic, external, non-LAN IP address, how do I know what IP address to use at FTPtest.net?

Thanks again,
dkmanning

[boco]

You can use a service like http://whatismyip.com .

[dkmanning]

Alright, I used whatismyip.com to get my external IP, set the passive mode to "Retrieve external ip from" but I'm still getting the same timeout error, so my question is do I need to uninstall the McAfee software or is there another possible setting blocking the connection?

Thanks for your help,
dkm

[boco]

do I need to uninstall the McAfee software

This would be the next step. There's a good chance Mcafee comes with a firewall, too.

[dkmanning]

It definitely does, which I have turned off, but I'm still getting the timeouts, so I'm thinking I need to uninstall the software completely. Does that make sense?

[boco]

Yes. Disabling a firewall doesn't remove its (potentially troublesome) drivers. Only uninstallation does.

[dkmanning]

So, I uninstalled the McAffee firewall, I have the Windows firewall turned off, I configured the Comcast gateway modem to allow ftp as per the Comcast technician and the computer is not connected to a router. I try to access via "ftp://anonymous@24.4.222.151 (the IP I got from whatismyip.com) and this is the error I generate - "The connection to the server was reset while the page was loading."

What should I try next?

Thanks,
Dave

[boco]

A browser doesn't generate useful logs, in fact AFAIK it doesn't generate ANY logs for FTP. For a server to test, always use https://ftptest.net/ or a real FTP client from the outside, they at least generate screen logs for copy-pasting here.

The error you got from the browser is only generic and does not provide any useful information.

[dkmanning]

Using ftptest.net I get the same timeout error as always.
trying to connect with fileZilla client I get:

Status: Connecting to 24.4.222.151:21...
Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...
Error: Could not connect to server
Status: Waiting to retry...
Status: Connecting to 24.4.222.151:21...
Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...
Error: Could not connect to server
Status: Waiting to retry...
Status: Connecting to 24.4.222.151:21...
Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...
Error: Could not connect to server

[boco]

The server is still blocked by a firewall. Maybe at your router, your PC, or even at your ISP (some don't allow running servers and block FTP).

[dkmanning]

So, I am returning to this problem after letting it sit for a few months. I have deleted all security software, checked with the ISP, turned off all firewalls I can see. Should I just re-install windows and start from scratch? forget this machine and start with a different computer? just give up?

I'm out of ideas.
Dave Manning

[horndog]

...The computer has always been plugged directly into a Comcast Business IP Gateway (model SMC8014), no router involved, but it is a dynamic IP address. I have Windows firewall turned off, the Mcafee security software firewall, that was installed by Comcast, is turned off.

Doing a quick search I came up with this.
Some Modems require port forwarding to open your network for ftp, even though it's not technically a router. Good luck...