anonymous ftp

[wbdesigner]

I would like to have an public ftp area for people to upload and download files. bluehost has an anonymous ftp but I can't seem to make it work... or maybe I'm doing something wrong.
help

[farcaster]

Have you gone to your cPanel yet and checked one of the options to allow it?

There are two check boxes:

Allow anonymous access to ftp://ftp.example.com

Allow anonymous uploads to ftp://ftp.example.com/incoming

I would suggest only using the second option.

EDIT: You will find the incoming directory underneath the public_html directory.

[wbdesigner]

yes I did that but then I took ftp://ftp.example.com (changed to mine) and put it in my explorer 8 bar and it gives me an connection error message.

I have the folders public and incoming on my site so I did ftp://ftp.example.com and I tried ftp://ftp.example.com/public and ftp://ftp.example.com/incoming

[Early Out]

Have you tried connecting with a regular FTP client program like FileZilla?

[farcaster]

I agree with Early Out here.

I can connect fine using the terminal app on the Mac - should work from DOS also.

But for the life of me I cannot get a connection using a browser.
By using ftp://login:@ftp.example.com I get prompted for a username and password. That then opens a window displaying the contents.

However, I cannot get it to work for anonymous using anonymous@example.com as the username with no password.

But it does work if I use my cpanel username/password. And that is using the first checked option. The second option does not work, but that may be due to the permissions set to 700, which excludes everyone but the owner.

Anyone else???

[wbdesigner]

yes I do that. but what I wanted was for them to be able do access the files from explorer.
Or something simple like a password box that gives then upload download capabilities where you could check the anonymous box

[Early Out]

Well, not since IE6 has a version of IE been able to act as an FTP client. When you enter and FTP address into it, it just dumps you into Windows Explorer.

[wbdesigner]

Is there a program or something that the client would not have to download so they can upload and download files? that's what I thought an anonymous ftp site would do. let them drag and drop files.

I tried the ftp://login:@ftp.example.com (seems this should be where the anonymous part should work) and then my user/password which got me to the directory but when I tried to go anywhere into any directory I got the windows diagnose error

This is the instruction above the my directory what does this mean?
"To view this FTP site in Windows Explorer, click Page, and then click Open FTP Site in Windows Explorer."
what page? I don't see any page button.

ok I found the page button, and I can make IE8 work perfectly as a ftp client in another web site (different server) but not with bluehost I get a message thet bluehost is not set up for full access.

[JND]

I set anonymous FTP permissions via cPanel.
I opened a Windows Explorer window and entered ftp.mydomain.com (ftp://ftp.mydomain.com) and clicked enter.
I was immediately connected to the FTP server using anonymous credentials.
I was then able to drag and drop files, at will, into the /incoming directory.

I'm not sure why this doesn't work for you. Perhaps it's isolated to your machine and IE8 internet options settings? Would you like me to try and connect to your FTP server? If so, post your domain address or send via PM. Or test on another machine. Or have someone else you trust give it a try.

As an aside, I have (or had) a simple web-based FTP utility that allowed users to connect to FTP as I assigned them. It was on a different server and an old inactive website I no longer run. But I'll check my old backup files and see if I can find it. If not, you always have the option of setting up other users via cPanel and allowing username/password FTP access.

[wbdesigner]

ok so now we are getting somewhere. so it will work!!!!

JND,
where are you setting the anonymous FTP permissions via cPanel? I just went to the anonomous ftp in cpanel and checked the 2 boxes. did you do something else?

I have tried it from home and work and neither works

[JND]

Under:

cPanel --> Files --> FTP Accounts --> Account Management

Do you have the account: anonymous@yourdomain.com

[wbdesigner]

yes I have anonymous@yourplanroom.com and then I tried to file manager to setup anonymous ftp access and I get a data error no matter what I try..

I am going to call tech support tomorrow.:confused:

[farcaster]

I just tested your anonymous ftp. I got on right away using the terminal app on the Mac. A listing of the directory shows the following:


ftp> ls
229 Extended Passive mode OK (|||18259|)
150 Accepted data connection
drwxrwxrwx 4 3120 3121 4096 Aug 19 17:53 .
drwxrwxrwx 4 3120 3121 4096 Aug 19 17:53 ..
-rw------- 1 65535 nobody 0 Aug 19 17:53 .ftpquota
drwxr-x-wx 2 3120 3121 4096 Jun 9 2008 incoming
drwxr-xr-x 2 3120 3121 4096 Jun 11 2008 plandrop
-rw-r--r-- 1 3120 3121 28 Jun 11 2008 welcome.msg
226-Options: -a -l
226 6 matches total


The permissions do not allow anyone into the incoming or plandrop folders. You will need to set them to 777 to allow that.

[wbdesigner]

changed permission.

when I type ftp://ftp.yourplanroom.com I get a root directory but then when I try to open the page in IE 8 I get a ftp proxy warning message.

what are you typing to get the anonymous ftp to work?

see if you can drop a file into plandrop?

[farcaster]

Check your folder!

This worked with an ftp client on the Mac (cyberduck, and it's free).

It does not work in the browser (using Safari), and I have not tried Firefox.

I can fire up my Windows system later and test the Windows Explorer.

[farcaster]

Check again for a text file dropped from Windows Explorer.

Once I know you can see them I will post the specifics...

Cheers

[JND]

Well I am stumpified. While I can connect and log into to my own anonymous FTP server via any and all methods below, I cannot log into to your anonymous FTP server. I can connect, then the server closes the connection:

FileZilla:

Status: Resolving address of ftp.yourplanroom.com
Status: Connecting to 69.89.31.185:21...
Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...
Response: 220---------- Welcome to Pure-FTPd [TLS] ----------
Response: 220-You are user number 9 of 1000 allowed.
Response: 220-Local time is now 10:28. Server port: 21.
Response: 220-IPv6 connections are also welcome on this server.
Response: 220 You will be disconnected after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Command: USER anonymous
Error: Could not connect to server

SmartFTP:

[12:33:48] SmartFTP v3.0.1035.0
[12:33:48] Resolving host name "ftp.yourplanroom.com"
[12:33:49] Connecting to 69.89.31.185 Port: 21
[12:33:49] Connected to ftp.yourplanroom.com.
[12:33:49] 220---------- Welcome to Pure-FTPd [TLS] ----------
[12:33:49] 220-You are user number 8 of 1000 allowed.
[12:33:49] 220-Local time is now 10:33. Server port: 21.
[12:33:49] 220-IPv6 connections are also welcome on this server.
[12:33:49] 220 You will be disconnected after 15 minutes of inactivity.
[12:33:49] USER anonymous
[12:33:49] Connect failed. Waiting to retry (30s)...
[12:33:49] Server closed connection

Windows Power Shell:

PS C:\Users\JND> ftp ftp.yourplanroom.com
Connected to ftp.yourplanroom.com.
220---------- Welcome to Pure-FTPd [TLS] ---------
220 -You are user number 8 of 1000 allowed.
220 -Local time is now 10:35. Server port: 21.
220 -IPv6 connections are also welcome on this server.
220 You will be disconnected after 15 minutes of inactivity.
User (ftp.yourplanroom.com:(none)):
Connection closed by remote host.


ftp yourplanroom.com
Connected to yourplanroom.com.
220---------- Welcome to Pure-FTPd [TLS] ---------
220-You are user number 8 of 1000 allowed.
220-Local time is now 10:35. Server port: 21.
220-IPv6 connections are also welcome on this server.
220 You will be disconnected after 15 minutes of inactivity.
User (yourplanroom.com:(none)): anonymous
Connection closed by remote host.

Windows Explorer:

FTP Folder Error. Windows cannot access this folder.
Make sure you typed the file name correctly and that you have
permission to access the folder.
Details: The FTP session was terminated

[JND]

Check again for a text file dropped from Windows Explorer.
How!?

I was unable to log into this server using 4 different apps. Especially Windows Explorer which gave me the cold shoulder.

[farcaster]

The username must reflect the domain name.

anonymous@yourplanroom.com

Just plain anonymous will not work.

[JND]

Can I get a group "Duh"? Thanks!


Windows PowerShell

PS C:\Users\JND> ftp yourplanroom.com
Connected to yourplanroom.com.
220---------- Welcome to Pure-FTPd [TLS] ----------
220-You are user number 5 of 1000 allowed.
220-Local time is now 11:05. Server port: 21.
220-IPv6 connections are also welcome on this server.
220 You will be disconnected after 15 minutes of inactivity.
User (yourplanroom.com:(none)): anonymous@yourplanroom.com
331 User anonymous@yourplanroom.com OK. Password required
Password:
230-User anonymous@yourplanroom.com has group access to: nobody
230-OK. Current restricted directory is /
230 Please call with your order
ftp> ls
200 PORT command successful
150 Connecting to port 50005
.
..
.ftpquota
DSCN0221.JPG
incoming
plandrop
welcome.msg
226-Options: -a
226 7 matches total
ftp: 65 bytes received in 0.01Seconds 4.33Kbytes/sec.
ftp>
ftp> cd plandrop
250 OK. Current directory is /plandrop
ftp>

[farcaster]

How!?

I was unable to log into this server using 4 different apps. Especially Windows Explorer which gave me the cold shoulder.

In addition, when you use Explorer, or the Finder app on the Mac, the address line is a bit different from what you use at a command line.

The address should look something like this:

ftp://login:@ftp.yourplanroom.com

That will cause the app to ask for a login name and password.

Then enter the username anonymous@yourplanroom.com and leave the password blank. Voila!

[JND]

Thanks again for the useful tips.

However, why didn't I need this information logging into my own BlueHost anonymous FTP server using Windows Explorer?

[wbdesigner]

In addition, when you use Explorer, or the Finder app on the Mac, the address line is a bit different from what you use at a command line.

The address should look something like this:

ftp://login:@ftp.yourplanroom.com

That will cause the app to ask for a login name and password.

Then enter the username anonymous@yourplanroom.com and leave the password blank. Voila!

I did this and still same thing for me.. at work and home 2 diffent computers and I get a ftp proxy error both places.

I see that you guys have been able drop files in nice pic of bean...

I type in the command line in IE8 ftp://ftp.yourplanroom.com
or ftp://login:@ftp.yourplanroom.com then password as your say everythings working fine up to this point and then I see the root then I try to open a page and open ftp in windows explorer then I get the ftp proxy error message.

[farcaster]

Don't use the browser - it won't work.

Use Explorer or an ftp client. Just put in the info and you will get connected.

As for the proxy server problem, I have no way of testing that. Do you really go through one? If not then you need to change some settings on your computer.

Glad you liked the pic of Bean. He's a classic.

[wbdesigner]

Don't use the browser - it won't work.

Use Explorer or an ftp client. Just put in the info and you will get connected.

As for the proxy server problem, I have no way of testing that. Do you really go through one? If not then you need to change some settings on your computer.

Glad you liked the pic of Bean. He's a classic.

but it does work with a IE8. I have another site that this works on and I can access it just fine on the same computer that I can't get bluehost to work anonomously.

I have 1 directory that has a different user/password and is set to 777

so why do I keep getting the ftp proxy error with the bluehost site? I can't even get into any part of my site using IE8 and my regular user/pass??

[JND]

But it does work with a IE8. I have another site that this works on [...] and then page / open site in ftp and then you can drag and drop files
It doesn't really work in IE8. Internet Explorer allows one to use it as a shortcut to open an Explorer window. IE itself isn't acting as an FTP client; Windows Explorer is.

As an aside, many people (myself included) don't use IE with the "Command Bar" visible. Without the Command Bar, there is no "Page" button in which to navigate.


So why do I keep getting the ftp proxy error with the bluehost site? I can't even get into any part of my site using IE8 and my regular user/pass??
If the problem you are having can be 100% directly attributed to using IE8, it must be your internet settings; perhaps a Trusted Site or your own site placed in some other IE zone.

Have you checked your IE8 --> Tools --> Internet Options --> Security & Privacy tabs for inconsistencies?

Are you on a Windows XP or Vista machine and which version? Do you use User Account Control?

[JND]

Check that you have:
Tools --> Internet Options --> Advanced --> Enable FTP Folder view (outside of Internet Explorer) checked.
Check that you have:
Tools --> Internet Options --> Advanced --> Use Passive FTP (for firewall and DSL modem compatibility) checked.

[wbdesigner]

Check that you have:
Tools --> Internet Options --> Advanced --> Enable FTP Folder view (outside of Internet Explorer) checked.
Check that you have:
Tools --> Internet Options --> Advanced --> Use Passive FTP (for firewall and DSL modem compatibility) checked.

Got all that.

I can access my other website/server but not bluehost.. and that's from home and work 2 different computers / services.

Thanks for all of your help.

I'm stumped.:cool:

[JND]

I wonder if it isn't a program that you run both at home and work that may be interfering. Perhaps a firewall or antivirus application? Have you tried temporarily disabling these?

I know I'm taking shots in the dark, but I can't explain why two of us can access your anonymous FTP server and you can't. That doesn't sound like a BlueHost issue. But I really don't know.

I would suggest disabling the above in addition to any work-related software you may have installed at home, clearing your cache and trying again without running any restrictive or work-related software.

[CptGemini]

Get yourself a dedicated IP for your hosting account then you will not need to have to put in the extra line for the username and you will have no more problems getting the anonymous ftp portion of your site to work.

I had the same problems as you are having and fixed them once I got a dedicated ip.

ftp://ftp.clanugsm.com

[JND]

That explains why I don't need the additional login information. I too have a dedicated IP. But it doesn't explain why wbdesigner can't use anonymous FTP to log into his/her own server.

Neither farcaster nor I have any problem logging into wbdesigner's anonymous FTP server. It's wbdesigner that has the problem.

Perhaps a dedicated IP solves the issue for all, however there must be something else that's being overlooked on wbdesigner's side. I, on a Windows machine and farcaster on a Mac both access wbdesigner's FTP server without issue. Dedicated IP or not.

What are your results when logging into wbdesigner's anonymous FTP?

[farcaster]

That explains why I don't need the additional login information. I too have a dedicated IP. But it doesn't explain why wbdesigner can't use anonymous FTP to log into his/her own server.

Neither farcaster nor I have any problem logging into wbdesigner's anonymous FTP server. It's wbdesigner that has the problem.

Perhaps a dedicated IP solves the issue for all, however there must be something else that's being overlooked on wbdesigner's side. I, on a Windows machine and farcaster on a Mac both access wbdesigner's FTP server without issue. Dedicated IP or not.

What are your results when logging into wbdesigner's anonymous FTP?

I think that wbdesigner insists on using a browser. Funny thing about that, is that anonymous ftp is for the world, not necessarily the owner. It's not that hard to set up the connection using Explorer, nor is it hard to download a free ftp client and use that.

Off to chase another holy grail elsewhere!

[CptGemini]

The problem with some browsers when they connect to bluehost hosted websites is that browsers like Internet Explorer which a lot of people still use have problems connecting to ftps hosted on bluehosts servers. I had a problem on mine to where I couldnt get any browser to connect properly without putting the username which has an extra @ sign in it.

I then decided since it wasnt that much extra more and went ahead and purchased a dedicated IP to solve my problems. I havent had any problems since I got a dedicated IP, box performance has been pretty good too.

http://www.clanugsm.com/speedtestmini to test your speed. Btw my site is hosted on box483.

[JND]

The problem with some browsers when they connect to bluehost hosted websites is that browsers like Internet Explorer which a lot of people still use have problems connecting to ftps hosted on bluehosts servers.
So what are you inferring? This is a browser issue? A browser compatibility issue? A browser configuration issue? A server issue? A combination of the above? What exactly?

What's the remedy? Certainly not purchasing a dedicated IP. While there might be the FTP benefit, it certainly isn't a solution. The solution is finding out exactly why "some browsers" have this issue when connecting to Blue Host servers and then resolving the issue.


I think that wbdesigner insists on using a browser.
Personally, I don't find any benefit to browser-based FTP, but that's a personal choice. I'd much rather use a client specifically designed for file transfer, such as SmartFTP and WSFTP. I'm just very interested in learning why wbdesigner has this problem and I don't.

[wbdesigner]

Get yourself a dedicated IP for your hosting account then you will not need to have to put in the extra line for the username and you will have no more problems getting the anonymous ftp portion of your site to work.

I had the same problems as you are having and fixed them once I got a dedicated ip.

ftp://ftp.clanugsm.com

that was it! I had been meaning to get the dedicated IP address for some time and while I was talking to tech support I did it now everything works.

thanks again to everyone for the help.
patti

[JND]

Get yourself a dedicated IP [...] I had the same problems as you are having and fixed them once I got a dedicated ip.

That was it! I had been meaning to get the dedicated IP address [...]
While I am happy to learn that you have resolved your issue, the issue itself still hasn't been resolved. Reason being, both Farcaster and I were able to use your anonymous FTP regardless of a dedicated IP. If nobody were able to log in, the yes, I would agree that this would be the solution. But he and I were able to drop files without benefit of a dedicated IP.

So would someone shed some light as to why we were able to log in and drop files on a shared IP while Patti was not?