It seems to me quite a few folks are trying to run an FTP Server and not having very much success. There is lots of "Demand" for file transfers but few sites that "Work" properly. The net result is lots of Wasted Bandwidth and Broken Downloads. I have run various Mainframes and Servers for over 30 years, and have learned a few things (still don't know everything though). So to learn some more I have built and configured a Broadband Server to test out some ideas.

The Server details are: Maximum Upload to server 1400 Kbits/sec.
Maximum Download from server 500 Kbits/sec.
Maximum Number of connections 4
On a Dynamic IP, so it changes from time to time
Runs 24/7/52 except for Maintenance times (few)
Server is behind a Hardware Firewall (D-Link/Linksys type)

The Firewall means that things like FlashGet/CuteFTP etc. will NOT work. They are not "smart" enough to work through the Firewall that's there. Talk to the server using IEx.x, it works great. I tested several versions, though I mostly use IE6 in WinXP now. SmartFTP, LeechFTP work and FlashFXP works too, read the posts for the correct configuration.

Server Access is controlled by an IP # Table. The table will only EVER have a few selected entries, there simply is not enough capacity to "Serve the World". Basically the Server "Bans" everybody, and allows a few IP#'s to enter.

I am looking for a few (4-6 or so) folks to test out Uploading and Downloading from the Site. There is over 15 GB of stuff there now as a start. Add more if you want to. Mostly I am looking for CD sized stuff that will give it the "Acid Test". The "Net" seems to have no problems now with lots of little thingys. The Emphasis is on NOT wasting Bandwidth/Time and Satisfactory Results.

To Connect to the Server start with the URL

http://CrowDirt.DNS2GO.COM:8080

where you can find the current IP# of the Site.

Use the IP# there and Port 2020 in your FTP Client program (FlashFXP), anonymous access (no user/password needed), to connect.

Interested? PM your IP # here and I will add (A FEW) to the Access Table. No "Secret" passwords required.

I'm interested in trying this out. I have quite a few cd sized app's/games.


[ November 06, 2001: Last edited by poolman ]

[ November 08, 2001: Last edited by poolman ]</p>

Would BPFTPCleint work?I mean is it smarter than others or all of then has the same level of stupidity?

Hi Folks, some more details to help clarify the situation. I am assuming that most everyone is running WinXP Pro by now, that is all you need for this process. I am not familiar with BPFTPClient (there are lots of them). If its Shareware/Freeware I suspect it is not up to the task at hand.

Poolman PM'ed me asking if nonroutable IP's such as 10.x.x.x and 192.168.x.x will work. These are "Special" IP ranges that only go as far as the first Router (ment for local LANs). The IP numbers that I am looking for must be Routable numbers. If you have your computer behind a Hardware Firewall it likely will not connect to the Server. I answered here so others will know as well.

Using IP #'s for access control is not far removed from things like SSL etc. Another scheme I have considered are (VPN) Virtual Private Network connections. As we are all running the "Corporate" version of WinXP now, I am sticking to the methods that Companies use on the Net. Most of the Home/Consumer S/W and H/W such as Win9X, FTP Clients, Firewall Boxes and other gizmos generally will not work properly in this case.

Still Interested?

Hey Poolman I added your IP # to the table. You should be able to connect now. At the moment you are the only one so it should be quite fast. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I PMd ya my IP... do not like posting it in the open. I usually use a Socks 4 or 5 but will shut it off to try. Have 2 routers layin arond here [LinxSys and a DLinx] and I gave up usin em cuz they drop packetts so bad. Savin up for a good one [Cisco]. I'll up the FS 2002 if the speed is ok. Don't know what to say bout my server and gettin it off there. It is just gettin hammered bad and asses that get a 421 just keep pounding it. It is always full and I should cap the d/l speeed... I see right now someone is grabbin the 6in1 at 346kbs average so that sux the bandwidth prety bad too, and am letting 10 on at once. I fear I will have to close it to the gen d/l soon. Under norm conditions it has decent speed of 10mbps up and down.

I PM'd IP address.

Thanks. :cool:

:cool: ....Folks have been PM'ing me, have a half dozen or so, with more coming I suspect. Just in case "BetaNet" has problems, I hang out on ieXbeta as well. You can find me there if need be. I probably have enough responses already to get started with. Will keep all of them though with the idea of building a "Network" of FTP Sysops.

PM'ing is ok, better in some ways for Security reasons. I thought posting here would be good to so other folks can watch how this goes and Learn from our Struggles. All the replies so far are folks on "Broadband SP's" which means collectively we can move a lot of stuff.

Currently I am running 2 ADSL lines, the Server is on one by itself to transfer files. The other line I use for everything else, talking etc. At the moment I am on a connection from work. Once I am back home I will add some more folks to the server later today. So far I have added "Poolman" so things will start happening soon. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I've PM'ed you. Look forward to a reply! :rolleyes:


NutCracker

Hi Folks....I have been working through a number of PM's. I probably have enough for testing with. More folks likely means more FTP Servers to support them. We can work on that too. The folks I have "activated" are Poolman 24.x.x.x, WarezRocks 204.x.x.x, NutCracker 212.x.x.x, itypeslow 24.x.x.x, and HotRod 24.x.x.x. Basically its First Come First Served. I still have Megaduce 63.x.x.x to add, he showed up a little later on. He says he is running Win2K Adv Server, which is what I am running as well.

Suicide_Devil says he is using a Linksys Router. In that case the IP # would be the one on the "Net Side" NOT 192.168.x.x. I have a Linksys Router as well and I have not been able to get to the FTP Server through it, even if I use "DMZ". If you are using WinXP Pro (isn't everyone?) connecting directly to the "Net" is not a big problem. Firewall boxes are not doing very much for you in that case other than costing money. If Suicide_Devil is willing to connect directly and sends me his IP # then I can add him too.

If your IP changes for some reason send me a message and I will update it. The Server Box is a "Professional Server" which has been running for a year already and should be able to "hack it". My concern is mostly the Broadband Connection, or other Network stuff being able to handle the load. So "have fun", I will watch and fix if necessary.

Hey crowdirt have you added me as yet I PM you my IP I'll try again later Dude.

Knowledge------------is%%%%%%%%Power

Hi Megaduce, I have added you to the table (entry #6), you can try to connect but I expect it will fail at the moment. To "activate" your number I have to shutdown the FTP Service and Restart it. At the moment Hotrod is having a good time downloading Maya 4.0 Final (3 CD's). If I shutdown the service he will not be too happy. I will keep checking and if nobody is on, then I can restart the Service at that time. May take a day or so.

Poolman reports that he cannot get connected. I have some ideas, but was waiting for a bit to see how some of the other folks do.

Magrute, at the moment I have 6 members active and 2 on the hold list. You are #2. If someone has problems or drops out, I will start working through the Hold List. Some of the 6 are, or have been FTP Sysops, so if this scheme works, I expect it can be duplicated and other sites will be able to pick up some members. That's the plan at least.

Hey thanks crowdirt I'll try to get on tomorrow but I think my IP will changed againg because I need to my PC restart so I'll PM you with the new IP thanks again Dude


Knowledge-----------is%%%%%%%%%POwer

[ November 08, 2001: Last edited by Megaduce ]</p>

Ok, I will keep checking. My ISP is quite decent, as long as I use the same NIC (MAC Address) I almost always get back the same IP #.

[ November 08, 2001: Last edited by crowdirt ]</p>

Hey crowdirt
Thanks for letting me in on this. First off, do what you have to so others can get in on this. Can always resume. Second, about uploads, anything in paticular you want uploaded? and where to put? Looks like this could work well.

HotRod

Hi Hotrod, sounds like at least one Happy Camper [img]smile.gif[/img] Will see how it goes for while. Hope it doesn't break. A Broadband Link can do some things, just not everything. One site supports a few users WELL. If you want to do more folks it will be a case of duplicating lots of FTP Sites. My thinking is something like a "Pyramid" system. If you have enough "Rocks" you can build a "Pyramid". Where to put Stuff doen't really matter. I put a few empty folders there as a guide. Things can always be moved around, broken stuff cleaned up etc. The Server should not let you delete anything. Simply add more, I will do the cleanup as required. Anything Uploaded should be checked to make sure its not broken and will unpack correctly. No point in distributing broken stuff. Problems let me know.

Any feadback regarding speed/glitches/comments or issues would be great info. to pass along. I suspect folks are watching the experiment and want to know how it goes.

[ November 08, 2001: Last edited by crowdirt ]</p>

I got on no prob with FlashFXP. 2 threads @ about 40-50kbs uploading Flight Sim 2002. Nothing I really need to d/l so please share the wealth and keep warez free.

Hey WarezRocks, thats good to know. I did not have any luck with FlashFXP myself. Will have to try again when I get a chance. FS 2K2 will probably make some of the others happy too. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Hi Megaduce, I got your new IP # and will update/activate it soon if there is a break in the Uploads/Downloads. IP's change, that's Life, mine may change too. If it does, I will post it here.

[ November 08, 2001: Last edited by crowdirt ]</p>

Thanks Crowdirt, will check it out tonight....


NutCracker

Hi Megaduce, folks moved something like 3+ CD's of stuff (mostly up to the server) in around 12 hours. When I looked this morning everybody was either asleep or went to work and nothing was moving. So I was able to "activate" your new IP #. Give it a go when you have time. Looks like about half the group are FTP Sysops already, and they are doing a "Great" job. One member is from England, so this could be busy around the clock.

Hey crowdirt thanks for sharing I just finish D/L winimage I pretty much have everything else thanks again and I'll be on the prowl for Myst III for Dude. :D [img]tongue.gif[/img] :rolleyes:

So far SmartFTP and LeechFTP work. Get around 50K up and down. Tried 2 threads but still 50K between the 2 of them. May be my setup.

FlashFXP worked first time.

Speeds are slow, although that might be due to the server/bandwidth being loaded ???? (DuMeter is reporting average download speed of just over 20kb/s which for my 2meg DSL is quite slow - fast sites are normally around 240kb/s). Again, this all could be down to general network traffic this time of the day (19:00GMT).

I'll leave the download going and will see whether the speed improves. Will try again at around 05:00GMT to see if there's any improvement.

Thanks for putting up the server.......

NutCracker

What settings are you guys using in FLASHFXP? I can logon but then it times out before showing a list.

Hi Poolman, that was my problem with FlashFXP too. Seems others have found the answer, there must be a way. Have not had time to check it out myself yet.

Uploading to a Broadband Server is relatively quick. Downloading from a Broadband Server will be slow. Its a ratio imposed by the "ISP's" and I find it something of a Drag. Many folks overlook this fact and get into difficulties running an FTP Server.

Hey crowdirt for some reason i taught I had Encarta 2002 but my mistake I'm getting it now and the speed is good too thanks Dudez. Hey I'm still on the prowl for Myst III for you dude but no luck as yet though I'll keep in touch. though [img]smile.gif[/img] :cool: [img]smile.gif[/img]


Knowledge---------is%%%%%Power

[ November 08, 2001: Last edited by Megaduce ]</p>

The only additional settings that I've configured which worked first time are 'Site uses IP Masq/NAT/Non-Routable IP' and 'Passive' (although I don't think passive actually sorted it). I normally have to set these for any private FTP servers that I connect to.

These settings can be found on the options tab off the site Manager.

Hope that helps anyone who's having problems.

BTW, average download about 29kb/sec now (22:00 GMT)

NutCracker

[ November 08, 2001: Last edited by NutCracker ]</p>

Thanks NutCracker :cool: , I adjusted FlashFXP according to your instructions and it will connect just fine through the "Firewall" box now. I am not too excited about all this firewall stuff. Could be more trouble than it's worth in a "Server" application. Hope that will help the other folks too. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Hey Thanks NUTCRACKER I just put a check mark in the site uses ip thingy and it worked without a problem.

[b:b7bb0b6709]Crowdirt please disregard my previous PM...LOL![/b:b7bb0b6709] :cool: :cool: :cool:

Poolman....Ok can do. Enjoy! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Several other folks have PM'ed me. For the moment I have added them to the Hold List. Stay Tuned...follow what is going on. My hope is we can make more of these if it works well. At the moment I know a Broadband Link can support several folks without making a mess. The numbers I am using may be a bit conservative. My intent is that the Server produces the "goods" properly. The load can vary considerably depending on the content that is on the machine. The total number of registered users is something of a mystery at the moment.

modD has asked about folks having problems connecting to his FTP Server which is behind a Linksys firewall/router. I am using a D-Link 704 at the moment which I suspect is basically the same. Possibly NutCracker's solution is the way to solve some of that issue.

modD also was asking about what happens if there is a firewall at both ends. I have some pieces here and can give that a test. When I tried before I got "no connecto" too.

With a bit of luck and tweaking, maybe modD can be another "Crow" also.

[ November 08, 2001: Last edited by crowdirt ]</p>

Pretty nice Crowdirt :D Have quite a few things Id like to get. PM me and let me know what your lookin for so I can help you out.

Nice Work and a Big THANKS

Hi folks, there is a folder called "REQUESTS" on the Server. You can put anything there that you are looking for. Not much sense cluttering BetaNet with "Content" issues, the server can do that.

Had a look at the system Logs and how its running. There were a couple of folks that have been connected for something like 8 hours or so in a row. Another had been on as well for over an hour at the same time. Not sure just how many CD's we have moved, but its quite a few. I left it ticking away. Looks like its running quite solid so far. One of the folks that has been on for the 8 hours is connected from England. Going a bit slow because of the number of Nodes I suspect. But Hey it looks like its working. :cool:

[ November 09, 2001: Last edited by crowdirt ]</p>

Hey, I'm glad that those using FlashFXP have sorted the configuration and are working fine now! :rolleyes:

NutCracker

Thanks keeping us informed. I'm not a heavy user to any server. Sure it is nice to have access to your great server and Bearcat's.

Dennis

[quote]Originally posted by crowdirt:
Poolman....Ok can do. Enjoy! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Several other folks have PM'ed me. For the moment I have added them to the Hold List. Stay Tuned...follow what is going on. <hr></blockquote>

Hey crowdirt unfortunetly I got disconnected from my ISP and lost my previous IP # but I've PM you my new IP thanks Dude. :D

Hey Nutcracker thanks for the info it works for me with flashfxp. :cool:


Knowledge--------is%%%%%%%%%Power

yeah, Nucracker's tip worked fine for me [img]smile.gif[/img]

FlashFXP from now on...

thanks!

Hi Megaduce, I will update your IP#. One "Nice" thing about using a (D-Link/Linksys etc.) Firewall Router is that you can connect it and leave it going all the time. Put it on a UPS if power is a problem. The box is always connected and will "Hold" your Net IP#. The machines behind it can then be shut down/rebooted anything you want without causing an IP# change. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I have been waiting to change a number for myself too, I wanted to try "modD's" problem where both ends are behind a firewall. Use "NutCracker's" solution and see if it works. Mostly there are one or more folks on the server all the time now so I am waiting for a break to show up (did not want to knock anyone off).

Looked briefly at the logs, a rough estimate is in 2 days folks have Upped 2 GB and Downed 7+ GB of stuff. Not bad for a Home Broadband Link. One person was upping something and it seems to have failed for some reason. Have not had a chance to investigate further yet. Others are Upping stuff ok. :cool:

Hey Crowdirt thanks for adding my IP address to the list. Yuuuu! da man. :D [img]smile.gif[/img] :D

Knowledge-----is%%%%%Power

Much better throughput tonight (21:00 GMT). Getting around 50kb/sec.

Will try upload later although that should just max out my DSL connection (maximum capacity on upload of 30kb/sec, just over 240kb/sec on download).

Nutz