Problem with remote FTP server connection Issue with accessing or transferring files via FTP remotely
Problem with remote FTP server connection Issue with accessing or transferring files via FTP remotely
I'm trying to configure a Filezilla FTP server for remote access. It functions locally but not on the main network. When connected via the main remote network it fails, but works when using the phone hotspot instead. Attempted direct connection to the ISP modem didn't resolve the issue. Looking for alternative solutions.
Plan your port forwarding either on the ISP modem or the router you're using. You might need to adjust Filezilla to passive mode or active mode, restrict ports like 50,000 to 55,000, and then forward that range through the router or ISP. Some devices with built-in routers even offer presets for port forwarding such as FTP. I recommend setting up an SSL certificate via Filezilla settings and enabling secure options like FTP over TLS/FTPS. Use a different port than 21, especially if you're only using it for private purposes. Disable the standard ports (like 21) and opt for ports such as 990 for control and 989 for data.
I'm aiming for a passive approach so no client-side work is required and the firewall handling stays on the server. You mentioned you believe the server is correctly configured, but remote connections fail unless you switch networks. You're using the same machine for both tests, adjusting only the network connection. There are issues with file explorer and some encryption not working as expected, though I haven't run any formal tests yet. Additionally, WireShark reports TCP retransmissions, port number reuse, and destination unreachable errors during connections.
The client operates behind a NAT while maintaining a direct internet link to the server. When using this configuration, the client forwards requests to your WAN IP managed by your router, which blocks them since it doesn’t host an FTP service. You must instruct your router to route these requests to the server machine. Some routers already support FTP, or you can enable it via firmware upgrades such as OpenWRT or DD-WRT. Because the router connects directly to the internet, you can host the FTP server there without forwarding traffic or running it on your local device. For better security, consider using SFTP, which transmits data securely over an SSH connection. FTP sends information in plain text and passwords in plain text as well.
I have the server set up and it is working for the most part. the annoying thing is that I have two networks that are going to be the main ones being used, if I set up the server on either of these two networks it appears that I can access the server from elsewhere on the internet. the weird thing is that if I have the server in either of the networks I can not access it from the other one, and I do not understand why