Hi all I'm running slackware 11.0 2.6.20.4 vanilla kernel
I've been trying to set-up my box as an ftp server. I went to dyndns.com got a dynamic dns account for my router (d-link di-624) set up ssh and proftpd. when I enter my ftp address (ftp://xxx.homelinux.org) from the computer I serve from there is no problem. From any other computer in the world there is no connection (same for ssh). I was under the impression that if I type in the web address (not localhost) into my browser that it would work the same as if an outside computer was trying to access. Being a complete beginner to this I have no idea where to even begin trouble shooting this. I would guess that if I'm getting the same behavior from ssh it's not in the proftpd.config file, I also tried vsftpd with the same result. I recompiled my kernel and turned almost everything in the networking section on, that also did not help. Does anyone have any ideas where I should investigate? I could really use some help as I've hit the upper limits of my linux abilities here.
Thanks

if you can access the server from within the lan but not from outside - it is probably a firewall issue. If you cant connect to it from the lan but only from the same machine probably there is some firewall software running on the box, too.

You need to do port forwarding on your router. Right now, any connection attempt you make is trying to connect ftp from the router, and the router doesn't know what to do with it. You need to tell the router to forward ports 20 and 21 to your ftp server.

I don't have time to go into detail at this time. If you have problems, email back.

My ports on the router are all forwarded, I also triggered them then, I even put the server in the DMZ all with no effect. Sorry I should have posted that before. I can not access the server from within the lan only from the server itself. I am not aware of any firewall on my server box as of yet. I never installed one and I don't believe that slackware comes packaged with one. Unless a firewall came with dropline (I didn't think of that until just now) I'll try to find out and get back. Thanks for the help so far I really hope it is something as easy as a missed firewall.

Thanks For all the help and keeping me on the right track. It was a problem with my router firewall. (and not the first I've had) after forwarding, triggering, dmz-ing and starting all over again I finally got the firewall to let ports 20 and 21 get to the server box. I must say then when my d-link is working right it's great but when it need configuring look out. I think my next router will be a linksys. Whenever I configure my friends it a comparative joy.

Thanks again for the input