How to set up an FTP Server behind a Netgear RT314 Router with a Dynamic IP address

[d1sc g0lf3r]

Which port should they be using in their FTP client; 21 or 2000?

Port 21. If they have the option to turn on PASV mode in their FTP client, then let them try that also. If so it will connect on one of the ports of 2000-2010, your server will determine the port and let his client know automatically.

I am not using a DNS name. I was using my IP address that I obtained through www.whatismyip.com. I realize that this may change at times, but it seems to be the same as long as my modem stays on.

If your ip address changes then it is considered dynamic. I really recommend using www.dyndns.org to map your dynamic IP address to a static DNS name. The service is FREE. This way you can tell whoever that your address is dminches.homeftp.net which is alot easier to remember than an IP address and never changes unless you want it to. If you do use the DynDNS service I recommend using a dynamic DNS updater client such as DeeEnEs (Which is also FREE) to automatically update your IP address for you.

Also, do I need to use PASV? If so, which IP do I put in there, my internal IP 192.168.0.100 or my "public" IP?

Your public IP address. It will automatically update as well when your IP address changes.

btw if you go with DynDNS service and need any help setting it up, you can post here or Private Message me and if I am available we could set up a time to go over it through MSN messenger.

[d1sc g0lf3r]

If you want a better understanding of PASV mode:

The difference between Active (PORT) and Passive (PASV) connection types

FTP uses two different connections. The first communication is the command connection that is established on port 21. This handles the authentication of the FTP Client. Then when the FTP Client wants to exchange any data with the server a new data connection is established.

There are two different methods to creating this new data connection. There is an Active (PORT) connection and a Passive (PASV) connection. The main difference between an Active and Passive connection is who makes the data connection.

When Passive mode is used the Client first connects to the server on port 21. Then the client issues a PASV command. The server then replies with an IP address and port number. The client finally uses that IP Address and port number to establish the data connection.

PASV connections are most useful when the FTP Client is behind a firewall. Most firewalls do not block outbound traffic. The data connection can be established because it is going from the client to the server and the firewall sees this as normal outbound traffic.

An Active connection is different because the server actually connects back to the FTP Client for the data connection. In the illustration below we see the Port command being sent by the client. This time the client sends the server the IP Address and port number to connect to. Then the FTP Server tries to connect back to the FTP Client using that information. This method of establishing the data connection will work better if the FTP Server is behind a firewall.

Taken from Serv-U's website.

[bhess]

Although it seems to be down right now, here is a great site to test your connection.

http://www2ftp.com/index-org.html

[PlymWS]

Hi all,

Ive followed this walkthru and managed to get a server running that a friend has tested for me.

The problem is that i cant locally access my ftp server from another machine on my lan. Ive tried to access using the local ip ive assigned, and ive turned off dchp. my friend can access the ftp either by the name or by putting in the wan ip address.

Im using a Netgear MR314 wireless router but the principles are the same.

How do I access an ftp on a server from another computer on this wireless lan i have ?

TIA for any advice

[jannae]

I'll be doing this tonight, thanks to you... one little question i'd like to clear up...

You suggested that we use dyndns.org (which i have done) and then install an updater client such as DeeEnEs... I have been told that installing a client is useless because the router is the outside connection, not the PC... which would mean that the PC would report its own IP (i.e., 192.168.0.whatever) to the dyndns service rather than the actual outside IP address. This makes complete sense to me... but your tutorial still works for some people, obviously.

The Netgear RT314 router has a client for DynDNS already built-in, so that you can give it your account information, and the router will keep DynDNS up to date with the IP address.

So... i guess what i'm getting at is could you please explain why you would choose DeeEnEs over the built-in router client, or am I comparing apples and oranges here?

[aldtech]

Where does your WAN IP address come from? I seem to have a connectivity problem. When I have friend ping my FTP address it does show up hut he can not connect/login.

In your step by step you say to check box top allow passive mode then to enter the following address. Is that the exact address to enter or should we be getting this address from somewhere else.

Always having questions.

AL

[d1sc g0lf3r]

First off let me say sorry it took me so long to reply, I think I may have accidentally removed my subscription from this thread but I have resubscribed now and I should be more up to date on any further posts.

The Netgear RT314 router has a client for DynDNS already built-in, so that you can give it your account information, and the router will keep DynDNS up to date with the IP address.

So... i guess what i'm getting at is could you please explain why you would choose DeeEnEs over the built-in router client, or am I comparing apples and oranges here?

The DeeEnEs client allows me to update multiple accounts. I believe the Router client only allows one account. I use it to update my FTP Server Address, my Teamspeak2 Server Address...Good question though and it would be a viable option for people only updating one account for sure.

Where does your WAN IP address come from? I seem to have a connectivity problem. When I have friend ping my FTP address it does show up hut he can not connect/login.

You can obtain your WAN IP Address from the maintenance page of your Netgear router. This WAN address may change at times if your ISP did not assign you a static IP address. Hope that answers your questions.

[[A3D]Hatswitch]

DynDNS is a great service. I use ddclient on my Linux box to grab my external IP right off my router's setup page. I host game, TeamSpeak, and FTP servers behind my router no problem.

Do the Netgear routers really not support the loopback function? The Linksys routers orginally did not, but they fixed that several firmware versions ago.

[d1sc g0lf3r]

I am running firmware v3.25 and I still have that issue. The RT314 has been out for quite a while though and the newer routers by Netgear may have overcome this problem.

[Jimbobbob]

I just want to say that i've tried a few differnt FTP servers, and i love guildFTPd, you should probably try that out too.
http://www.nitrolic.com/