I am runing a vm linux ftp server. I can access this server from an XP dos window. However I am unable to access the server via the internet...
A window pops up asking for usr name and password but I still can't connect.

I have very limited knowledge of Unix so if any one can help with instructions that would be graet... thanks

Which distribution, which ftp server, firewall?
what are you giving as user name and password?
is anonymous login enabled?

linux Red Hat Vers 2.6.9-5 EL

Firewall on netgear router

Here is my vsftpd conf file
# Example config file /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf
#
# The default compiled in settings are fairly paranoid. This sample file
# loosens things up a bit, to make the ftp daemon more usable.
# Please see vsftpd.conf.5 for all compiled in defaults.
#
# READ THIS: This example file is NOT an exhaustive list of vsftpd options.
# Please read the vsftpd.conf.5 manual page to get a full idea of vsftpd's
# capabilities.
#
# Allow anonymous FTP? (Beware - allowed by default if you comment this out).
anonymous_enable=NO
#
# Uncomment this to allow local users to log in.
local_enable=YES
#
# Uncomment this to enable any form of FTP write command.
write_enable=YES
#
# Default umask for local users is 077. You may wish to change this to 022,
# if your users expect that (022 is used by most other ftpd's)
local_umask=022
#
# Uncomment this to allow the anonymous FTP user to upload files. This only
# has an effect if the above global write enable is activated. Also, you will
# obviously need to create a directory writable by the FTP user.
#anon_upload_enable=YES
#
# Uncomment this if you want the anonymous FTP user to be able to create
# new directories.
#anon_mkdir_write_enable=YES
#
# Activate directory messages - messages given to remote users when they
# go into a certain directory.
dirmessage_enable=YES
#
# Activate logging of uploads/downloads.
# xferlog_enable=YES
#
# Make sure PORT transfer connections originate from port 20 (ftp-data).
connect_from_port_20=YES
#
# If you want, you can arrange for uploaded anonymous files to be owned by
# a different user. Note! Using "root" for uploaded files is not
# recommended!
#chown_uploads=YES
#chown_username=whoever
#
# You may override where the log file goes if you like. The default is shown
# below.
xferlog_enable=YES
xferlog_file=/var/log/vsftpd.log
#
# If you want, you can have your log file in standard ftpd xferlog format
xferlog_std_format=YES
#
# You may change the default value for timing out an idle session.
#idle_session_timeout=600
#
# You may change the default value for timing out a data connection.
#data_connection_timeout=120
#
# It is recommended that you define on your system a unique user which the
# ftp server can use as a totally isolated and unprivileged user.
#nopriv_user=ftpsecure
nopriv_user=nobody
#
# Enable this and the server will recognise asynchronous ABOR requests. Not
# recommended for security (the code is non-trivial). Not enabling it,
# however, may confuse older FTP clients.
#async_abor_enable=YES
#
# By default the server will pretend to allow ASCII mode but in fact ignore
# the request. Turn on the below options to have the server actually do ASCII
# mangling on files when in ASCII mode.
# Beware that turning on ascii_download_enable enables malicious remote parties
# to consume your I/O resources, by issuing the command "SIZE /big/file" in
# ASCII mode.
# These ASCII options are split into upload and download because you may wish
# to enable ASCII uploads (to prevent uploaded scripts etc. from breaking),
# without the DoS risk of SIZE and ASCII downloads. ASCII mangling should be
# on the client anyway..
#ascii_upload_enable=YES
#ascii_download_enable=YES
#
# You may fully customise the login banner string:
ftpd_banner=Welcome to ENIK FTP service.
#
# You may specify a file of disallowed anonymous e-mail addresses. Apparently
# useful for combatting certain DoS attacks.
#deny_email_enable=YES
# (default follows)
#banned_email_file=/etc/vsftpd.banned_emails
#
# You may specify an explicit list of local users to chroot() to their home
# directory. If chroot_local_user is YES, then this list becomes a list of
# users to NOT chroot().
# chroot_list_enable=YES
# chroot_local_user=YES
# (default follows)
#chroot_list_file=/etc/vsftpd.chroot_list
#
# You may activate the "-R" option to the builtin ls. This is disabled by
# default to avoid remote users being able to cause excessive I/O on large
# sites. However, some broken FTP clients such as "ncftp" and "mirror" assume
# the presence of the "-R" option, so there is a strong case for enabling it.
#ls_recurse_enable=YES

pam_service_name=vsftpd
userlist_enable=YES
#enable for standalone mode
listen=YES
tcp_wrappers=YES
background=YES

what happens if you give the user name and password?
what happens if you connect using the command line?

FTP works fine using the command line

when I give username and password it keeps trying to connect and then reports cannot display the web page.. I have already configured explorer using the advanced tab and ticked the relevant check boxes for viewing ftp folders...

this happened to a friend of mine trying to connect to my ftp and by adding port 21 to the exceptions tab under windows firewall fixed the issue.
Give that a shot and see what happens.
Good Luck!!!!


W$ndows is retarded when it comes to security!

I have tried adding this port in exceptions tab but this hasn't solved the problem...

It could be related to your firewall configuration, and to the fact that IE
uses "Passive mode" by default.
You can change this in the settings from IE

OK great I have unticked passive ftp on my explorer and it now works. However it displays all my directories.. How do i set up the user so that he can only see his home dir and able to read and write to it

chroot_local_user=YES

in the old days you could open a browser page and do this;
but it is not safe, I think you can omit the password and may be your system asks for it?

umm?
i had to wrap a code so the smilies didnt show up

Hello, Thanks for all input. I have tried all options but still all the directories appear. I cant help feeling it is something to do with the setting up of users and the vsftpd.conf on my linux ftp server. As I do not have any experience with this I would appreciate if you could send me sample setup.. Thanks

Did you changed this in the config?

Yes I did, but could not get it to work... I have now made two groups, Group A and Group B. I have a Group A user who logs in to his home directpry successfully and can read and write to folders. I have a user in group B who can now login in successfully to his home directory and read and write to folders.

Now I would like to configure it so that when user B logs in he can see not only his own folders but also he can see group A's folders with read and write permissions... Can this be done?? Thanks