Filezilla FTP works but Total Commander FTP died

[brucekwells]

I have been using Total Commander for years. Works great. Been using the FTP client in passive mode to update my web sites on a weekly basis for years.

Just a few days ago, on one host IPS, I can't go into passive mode. I get this in the log:

PASV
227 Entering Passive Mode (69,39,232,66,206,38)
PORT 192,168,1,4,32,177
500 I won't open a connection to 192.168.1.4 (only to 74.101.153.197)

My other FTP sessions on other hosts work just fine. On v8.51a.

Support from the IPS says use Filezilla. I try it. Does not work either, same problem (or I think, not really sure, as Filezilla kinda sucks). Turns out I had to change the FTP server type from DOS to linux. Now Filezilla works (but it still sucks!). I want my Total Commander back!

So I configured both the same way. ISP had me change the server name. Neither old way or new way works for this ISP. TC FTP works great on two other servers. No issues. I have not installed any new software or upgraded anything that I know of.

Any ideas on why Filezilla would work, but TC FTP client would not?

Also checked TC on Android. Same problem! Can connect to the same server that I can with TC Windows client, but can't connect to server on Android that I can't connect to on Windows. Android TC dies on PASV command.

Any ideas? I suspect my ISP upgraded or changed the FTP server and that causes TC on Android and Windows to not work.

[Sob]

TC, FileZilla or any other FTP client do the same. They send PASV, server sends back address and port to connect to, client connects to that and that's it. Unless you have some firewall filtering outgoing connections, which would allow them for one program and not for the other one, it should just work.

Why it doesn't work with PORT, that's another thing. I tried to connect to your server's address (taken from posted PASV reply) and first thing, I'm greeted with "421 Sorry, cleartext sessions are not accepted on this server", so you must use encrypted connection. Which means that unless TC itself sends correct external address, PORT command can't work. You could make it work if your router has public address and you can set up port forwarding. In that case you could specify correct external address and forwarded port range in TC's FTP settings and it will (ok, should) work.

I suspect that non-working passive mode might have something to do with encryption (in that case, active mode would probably not work either, even if you fixed the address), but I'm not sure how to verify that. At least in user-friendly way. You could check what's going on the wire using packet sniffer, it often shows interesting things, but I don't know if that's your thing.

[brucekwells]

Sob,

Thanks for the hints. I will try some more things when I get back home.

Yes, the server is SFTP, not clear text, but it has been that way for a while.

Here are a few more interesting things.

1. I can connect now through another internet connection. In this case, it is my mother's Verizon FIOS connection. I am on FIOS at home as well. As far as I know, no router options have been changed on my router or hers.

2. TC FTP works over my cellular IP connection for both Android and Win TC on the same Windows machine.

3. Android TC works on my mother's FIOS connection as well.

All 3 indicate an issue with my home router. But nothing has changed on that recently, if ever. Also Filezilla works at home but TC does not. I still suspect a server change, but not sure what or why that might be.

More investigation when I get back home. Any ideas appreciated.

Thanks!

[Sob]

I'm out of sensible ideas for the moment. There are always ghosts and aliens, but I don't like to misuse them for technical problems that should be explainable otherwise. ;)

If the same TC can connect to same server using just different connection, it rules out everything except the connection/router. But if FileZilla works over that connection, you're back at the beginning, they are both doing the same and there's no reason why it should work for one and not another.

[ghisler(Author)]

What does the FileZilla log show?

[brucekwells]

So now after coming home, TC FTP works!

Must have been something on the server, as no configurations were changed from when it stopped working to now.

I still have no idea why Filezilla worked but TC did not.

If it happens again, I will post logs from both programs.

Thanks for the ideas!