Ftp and windows xp sp2 Firewall

[SoWhat]

Hello everyone. Are you chaps aware of any issues between windows xp sp2 and my Ftp server? I have tried just about everything I can think off. The Ftp server access in both,passive and active mode, does not work when the windows firewall is switched on. It does not matter what settings I enable or disable in the firewall. It simply blocks the ports/communication. Any ideas ? Otherwise which other firewall do you suggest?

 

[ShawnStar]

Hi SoWhat, to be clear, are you hosting the FTP server on the WinXP sp2 machine? Or are you hosting it somewhere else and only have a problem accessing it from your Win XP PC? The first line is a bit unclear " aware of any issues between Win XP sp2 and my FTP server" - sounds like you have a FTP server hosted somewhere that we are suppose to know about?
Anyway, if it's on the XP machine follow this and see if it helps...

http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/open-ftp-port-21-on-windows-xp-operating-system/

 

[SoWhat]

The Ftp site is hosted on my windows xp sp2. Sorry about that. I thought it was clear enough. Tx for bothering to reply. Everything works 100% until I switch on the windows firewall. Then no one all over the world can access my Ftp server. Atm I am running it without a firewall. Although the server is well hidden and the data on there is only relevant (makes sense) to coworkers, I would like to have some kind of firewall protection.

 

[ShawnStar]

No problems, think I was not to sure but seemed like it was on the XP PC. Did you follow the instructions on the link? Or does that not apply to XP SP2?
When the firewall is switched on it will block port 21 by default (probably all incoming requests for that matter), you need to open up the incoming port to allow incoming requests, usually only port 21 but I see they also mention that you need to open up port 20...
If I had access to a XP PC I could quickly test it, maybe later tonight I can build one in VM Environment
So does that pc have a public IP address? With no firewall?
If the pc has a public ip you will need to get a firewall going on it just to make sure you protect the PC from any unwanted port scans and hack attempts etc...

And are you using the default FTP that one can install for XP, or 3rd party FTP server software?

 

[SoWhat]

I am using Serve-U from Rhino software. Prior to this I used another program but I can't remember its name. It did exactly the same and I decided to replace it with Serve-U. Did not help much though. After reading yesterday on the net, I see there is indeed a issue between windows xp sp2 and a Ftp server. As I've mentioned in my earlier post, I have tried just about all possible settings/combinations I could think of but the windows firewall won't budge The upside of it all is, by now I have learned quite a bit regarding Ftp and the windows firewall. If you chaps can not come up with something I intend to ditch the windows firewall and get a third party one.

 

[ShawnStar]

I see portforward.com has a guide as well to setup the FTP port in XP for Serve-U, but I take it you have tried it as well, as it's almost the same as the other one that I posted

http://portforward.com/english/routers/firewalling/Microsoft/WindowsXPFirewallFirewall/Serv-U.htm

Very strange that the settings does not work, can only be the firewall that is blocking it seeing that it works when it's turned off.

Edit: Also found this guide, lost of reading here, mostly to do with the pc being behind a router/firewall... http://www.rhinosoft.com/newsletter/NewsL2007-12-13.asp

Are Serve-U using the default FTP port 21?

 

[SoWhat]

Tx once again.Indeed the server pc is behind a (wifi) router (firewalled too). Serve-U does indeed use by default port 21. Keep in mind, I had to use the correct settings while configuring the router's firewall/ports. At least in theory the same settings should apply to the windows firewall. Obviously I am wrong because it does not work. I will definitely try/follow what you posted. One never knows. Interestingly enough, even on the intranet (local wifi network), the Ftp is blocked when the windows firewall is switched on, on the serving pc! The other two pc's (on the local intranet), can not access it and neither can both my kids access it from their Samsung tablets nor can my wife from her laptop, as well as I, from my wifi enabled cell phone. All the other stuff can be accessed though. (there are over 300 dvd/blueray movies on the server pc which the children can watch/stream in their bedrooms on the mentioned tablets). Definitely something going on with the windows firewall.