Binary mode FTP data transfers fail with the RV180, other routers work OK

[Transco55]

This is a new RV180 install. FTP data transfers fail in binary mode. By fail I mean the first packet sent, isn't accepted (acknowledged?) by the FTP server (Network Solutions, Passive Mode), . If I pull the router and replace it with an old Dlink router or 5th gen Apple Airport Extreme, everything else the same, it works OK. I lack the tools and knowledge to proceed beyond this point. Any ideas what might be happening?

Sent from Cisco Technical Support iPad App

[cflory]

How about other traffic thru the RV180?  Is everything else working ok (non-FTP)?

[Transco55]

Yes, as far as I know everything else is working properly.

[paolo bevilacqua]

Wrong forum, post in "small business - routers". You can move your post using the Actions panel on the right.

[Transco55]

I tried a different FTP client which runs a log,  Here is what's happening:

--------------------------------------------

Error:          Connection timed out

Error:          File transfer failed after transferring 603,598 bytes in 22 seconds

Status:          Resolving address of mysite.com

Status:          Connecting to xxx.yyy.zzz.125:21...

Status:          Connection established, waiting for welcome message...

Response:          220 (vsFTPd 2.3.4)

Command:          USER sam_2

Response:          331 Please specify the password.

Command:          PASS **********

Response:          230 Login successful.

Command:          OPTS UTF8 ON

Response:          200 Always in UTF8 mode.

Status:          Connected

Status:          Starting upload of /Volumes/Scratch/Sam List/files/blocks_image_0_1.png

Command:          CWD /files

Response:          250 Directory successfully changed.

Status:          Retrieving directory listing...

Command:          TYPE I

Response:          200 Switching to Binary mode.

Command:          PASV

Response:          227 Entering Passive Mode (xxx,yyy,zzz,125,30,138)

Command:          LIST

Response:          150 Here comes the directory listing.

Response:          226 Directory send OK.

Command:          PASV

Response:          227 Entering Passive Mode (xxx,yyy,zzz,125,127,182)

Command:          STOR blocks_image_0_1.png

Error:          Connection timed out

Error:          File transfer failed after transferring 333,040 bytes in 22 seconds

----------------------------------

This just keep repeating until the client and/or server give up.  Sorrry, I can't take the network down to run a log on routers that work.  I'll do that when possible.

[Transco55]

And here is the log when using a router that works:

Status: Resolving address of mysite.com

Status: Connecting to xxx.yyy.zzz.125:21...

Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...

Response: 220 (vsFTPd 2.3.4)

Command: USER sam_2

Response: 331 Please specify the password.

Command: PASS **********

Response: 230 Login successful.

Command: OPTS UTF8 ON

Response: 200 Always in UTF8 mode.

Status: Connected

Status: Starting upload of /Volumes/Scratch/Sam List/files/blocks_image_0_1.png

Command: CWD /files

Response: 250 Directory successfully changed.

Command: TYPE I

Response: 200 Switching to Binary mode.

Command: PASV

Response: 227 Entering Passive Mode (xxx,yyy,zzz,125,78,73)

Command: STOR blocks_image_0_1.png

Response: 150 Ok to send data.

Response: 226 Transfer complete.

Status: File transfer successful, transferred 603,598 bytes in 2 seconds

Status: Retrieving directory listing...

Command: PASV

Response: 227 Entering Passive Mode (xxx,yyy,zzz,125,153,241)

Command: LIST

Response: 150 Here comes the directory listing.

Response: 226 Directory send OK.

Status: Directory listing successful

-

---

Strange thing is everything, other the router, is the same. Same cables, router setup (at least as far as the WAN address, LAN address, DNS settings go). The only difference I can see, except the timeout, are the numbers in the last two fields of 'Entering Passive Mode'. No idea what they are for. Also, with the router that works, the server issues a 'OK to send data', but not when using the RV180. I guess that explains the timeout.

[linksysinfo]

Are you connection to the FTP server from within the LAN or through the wan?

Sent from Cisco Technical Support Android App

[Transco55]

Through the WAN.

[linksysinfo]

I take it you already have port 21 open on the WAN, try adding Port 20 as well in Firewall, Access rules

Regards Simon
http://www.linksysinfo.org

[Transco55]

Unfortunately that didn't help.

[Transco55]

Well I fixed it, by shear luck.  I reviewed every setting on the router.  I saw the following:

WAN (Internet) Security Checks, Stealth Mode, Enabled

My other routers didn't have this setting so I figured, what the heck, give it a try.  I disabled this setting and it worked!!!  Perhaps one of you network savy people can explain to me, or at least speculate as to why this would make a difference.

[linksysinfo]

That is good to know. funny though my RV220W shows the following for the Healp for Stealth mode.

Stealth Mode--
If Stealth Mode is enabled, the router will not respond to port scans from the WAN. This feature makes the network less susceptible to discovery and attacks. Enabled by default.

No mention of the FTP Binary mode there. must be a hidden feature.

Regards Simon
http://www.linksysinfo.org

[Transco55]

It could be that it is something unique to the way Network Solutions handle FTP.  I didn't try other FTP servers.