New FTP server works with DOS but not windows explorer 3

[ScottWIT]

I've setup an internal FTP server on our network at work. I tested it internally and it worked fine. Then I created a sub domain with our hosting commpany and forwarded the public IP to the server through our Cisco 2801 with NAT. I can login to it from outside our network with a command prompt but not with windows explorer for some reason. Any ideas as to why that would be? I've opened ports 20 and 21 on the 2801.

 

[Viconsul]

Hello,

With tcp ports 20 and 21 opened on your router, you will only be able to use an ftp client to connect to your ftp server and not windows explorer.
On another note, why would you want to open up ports on your router for windows explorer? That will be compromising your whole network security.

HTH

-Viconsul

 

[ScottWIT]

You're probably right.... explorer really shouldn't be needed. I think I'll leave it as is so either a command prompt or FTP software should do the trick just fine.

 

[burtsbees]

That's absolutely not true, vic---just
ip nat inside source static tcp x.x.x.x 21 int xxx 21
works for any user to connect via a browser. The browser uses port 21 to connect.

Have you tried Firefox? I have had a lot of problems using FTP with Windoze Exposer, but never with Firefox...this is with IIS FTP server and Sun Solaris 10

Burt

 

[ScottWIT]

Thanks for the tip. I did not try Firefox, just IE. I'll give that a try from home tonight. I've got ports 20 and 21 open so it should work.

 

[ScottWIT]

Is there a way for me to test it externally from inside our network? We used to have a mobile broadband card that was nice for this kind of thing but we cancelled it. If I try and connect to it via the public IP from work it doesn't connect but that's to be expected I suppose.

 

[burtsbees]

You would have to go outside of your network and then back in, like a VPN that does not have split-tunneling enabled.
Port 21 is all you need NATted, even if sending data.

Burt

 

[Viconsul]

I can login to it from outside our network with a command prompt but not with [highlight]windows explorer[/highlight] for some reason.

Burt - That is definitely true, Windows explorer won't work but Internet explorer will.

 

[burtsbees]

Oh...my bad...good catch.
I suppose the user may still have been talking about I.E. since I suggested Firefox and there was no, "What? What does a browser have to do with Windows Exploder?"

Burt

 

[ScottWIT]

Sorry about the confusion. I still can't get it to work with IE, windows explorer or firefox.... however, it works fine with an FTP client now and in my mind that's the best way to go anyways seeing as how there are several free ones available. Thanks for your help.

 

[tjbradford]

I assume that there is no proxy server in the middle of this lot which might be adding to the confusion?

depending on the size of your network one might expect one.

 

[burtsbees]

Very good point, TJ...I did have this problem with any browser going to a Solaris (Sun) box built-in FTP server, but I did not have a proxy. I never did figure that one out. You do have a good point though...

Burt

 

[ScottWIT]

nope, no proxy server...