I need some help on building an FTP site

[bufffbison]

Okay, I'm having some difficulty building an FTP site. But before i go into detail, this is my current hardware/network configurations.

I have the cable modem, which then connects to the Vonage's phone adapter, which then I have that connected to the Dlink wireless router. I have my desktop plugged into it, and use my laptop for the wireless. On both computers I have zone alarm pro, AV antivirus, and prevex KL intrusion detection additionally the router is also firewalled with zone alarm pro. I basically want an FTP server so i can access my desktop while im at school. So i can download/upload my saved homework onto my home desktop. I do take my laptop with me, but i simply want an FTP site built on my desktop, just in case.... anywho.

When I set up an FTP server (i need to build one, not a client) it wants to use the IP address that my router gives me, which is 192.168.x.xxx and that is the IP to the router and not my computer (following me? not sure how else to explain it). Which i know that won't work, but i tried it anyhow. I can log onto the FTP server within my network, but if i get onto it outside my network, its non existant. So then i change the IP to actual IP address I have (used whatismyip.com) and the ftp server says it doesn't recognize the IP and i cannot connect to it. I have tried half dozen things like disabling all of my firewalls and antivirus througout the network and the ftp server still would not detect my computers IP address. programs i've used were filezilla, serv-u, WS_home, ENCRYPTED FTP, and half dozen others. What could ya guys suggest to try, or am i not setting it up right? I've tried using windows xp's but i couldn't figure out how to build it. i tried using the add a network place, but that doesn't seem to "build" the ftp server. (like a server i can actually connect to, the address being ftp://ip address and being able to upload/download files.)

if anyone can help me, it would be greatly appreciated.. thanks

[bufffbison]

1. ...edit.. i am using XP pro on desktop and home on laptop nt

[GoodSpud]

2. Here is something you can try...

This should work but it has been a looonnng day so your mileage may vary....



You apparently have your machine set up to use DHCP to get an IP address from the router. I would change it to a static IP. Go to control panel, network connections, your NIC card, right click and choose properties.

Select TCP/IP and hit properties. Change from obtain IP address automatically to 'Use the following IP address'.

Put in an IP address on you network (for example 192.168.0.100). Do a subnet of 255.255.255.0 and gateway of whatever the IP of your router. In this example it would probably be 192.168.0.1.

Change the Preferred DNS server to be the same as the router.


Use filezilla for the server (no good reason, I just like it). Set it up to run the server on 127.0.0.1 (this IP address is always the local machine) and whatever port you want to use (21 is the default but you might want to think about moving it to something above 1024 to cut down on the script kiddie factor). I am going to use 21 for the example.

In the router forward a port to your local machine. I don't know exactly where it is in your router but look for advanced or local network or something like that. So for the example you would forward port 21 on the router to port 21 on your machine(192.168.0.100). This lets the outside world hit port 21 on your machine.


Then (almost there) go to someplace like www.dyndns.org and set up a dynamic domain for yourself(I am going to use example.com). You will have to set up your router to update the IP at dyndns.org (again just look around) or you can install their updater on your server box and let that handle it.


After that you should be able to go to ftp://example.com:21 and log in from anywhere.

Again, really tired so think of this as more guidelines than roadmap.

T.D.P.

p.s. be sure that none of your security software is blocking the port you are using (windows xp firewall is famous for this).

p.p.s. If you are interested it things linuxy you could also install cygwin and use that to allow you to use ssh to build a secure tunnel between your machines and then run whatever protocals you want through it. I use this to keep stuff synced between work and home. www.cygwin.org

p.p.p.s. Also, be aware that you are taking your security into your own hands by setting this up. FTP is not noted for its security so lock the server down as tightly as you can an choose good usernames and password....

[bemildred]

3. May I suggest SSH or one of the many clones?

The network setup looks like this:

(Internetland) --- (Cable WAN Address) -- (Cable LAN Address) -- (Dlink WAN Address) -- Dlink (LAN Address) -- (Your Desktop's IP Address)

1.) When you are out in internetland, you refer to your Desktop via the "Cable WAN Address", which may or may not be translated from a DNS "domain name".

2.) The cable modem and router then do whatever address translation and filtering they are set up to do.

3.) If the cable modem and router are set up to allow it, and to forward the traffic to the right place,
and your desktop firewall allows it, then the traffic will show up on your desktop on the designated port.

4.) There are firewalls on your desktop and the Dlink router that need to be set up to allow the traffic, and the router probably need to be told to forward FTP/SSH traffic from internetland to your desktop's LAN IP address.

===

I have used SSH in the situation you describe, there are a number of Windoze versions, and it is much more secure. Of course, it's a big hassle however you do it, but nice once you get it working.