Hello,

I have been trying to host an FTP server for a long time now. I downloaded Cerberus FTP, and set the incoming port to 21. I logged into my router and forwarded port 21 to my PC's LAN IP (192.168.0.4)

I can access the server perfectly if I log in locally, by connecting to ftp://192.168.0.4:21, but when I try to connect using my WAN IP, I get a message saying "A connection with the server could not be established".

I also tried this with a different port (8081) but with the same results.

Does anyone know why I can't host this server, and how I can fix it? Thanks for your time.

Hello Tony311,

I run Cerberus FTP with no problem. Your server will need a static IP. If your ISP does not provide one I use the No-IP static IP service. It has a free service and works quite well. Set your port forwarding to port 21 and set protocol to both UDP and TCP. If you plan to use passive logins you will need to do the same for port 20. I have found Cererbus very secure so far. A word of caution. Once the Bots find your server they will make several attempts a day to break the Admin password or find some exploit. You should see my logs....lol But with care and watchfulness, you should have no problems.

LC

On the side of security, jail your users so sensitive files or system files cannot be accessed. This will prevent hackers from accessing things they shouldn't access should they get in.

When i set up port forwarding, there is no TCP/UDP option so I can only assume it's forwarding both at once.
This problem isn't just with FTP, though. For the longest time, I have never been able to host game servers of any kid, and I can rarely (if ever) use the DCC file send capability of mIRC. I have forwarded all the ports necessary for all of these services as well, but they still didn't work.

OK, when I try to connect using an FTP program (not a web browser), I get the following messages:;

No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it.
Client closed the connection.

Also, Cerberus (FTP server) does not show any signs of a connection being made to it.

Sorry for the delay Tony311. When trying to run server apps you really need to give the PC you are using as a server a static IP. That way you will have a stable address for port forwarding. Next you need a static IP on the ISP side or a service like No-IP to make it easier to find your server. I will need to know what router you use. Cerberus was a little tricky at first but well worth the time.

Tony311:
Are you running a firewall? If so then you will have to open the ports needed for the server. Ports 21 and 20 (20 is only if your ftp will take a passive connection) need to be open.

LC

I have a Netgear RP614v6 router. Ports 20 and 21 are both forwarded to my PC's LAN IP.

While I do see the need for a static IP service for long-term situations, it doesn't help me to connect right now, seeing as my IP only changes once a month or so.

My Windows firewall is disabled, and I shut down my antivirus/firewall while I tried connecting.