No-IP/ FTP HELP NEEDED!!!

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Level 1

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No-IP/ FTP HELP NEEDED!!!

I have just activated an account with no-ip.com. I then installed the software on my computer and set everything up. But the problem is that, when i go to a computer out of my network and do go connect to server, and then type ftp://*my no ip name* it doesnt do anything. can anyone give me an extremely simple way to connect to my mac through ftp whether its with or without another service. i fowarded port 21 on my router. i just cant seem to figure this out and its been weeks

Mac Pro (8core 2.8ghz, mbpro 2.4, xserve g5 2.0), Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Jan 24, 2011 5:27 PM

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Answer 1

BobHarris

Level 9

56,819 points

Jan 24, 2011 6:18 PM in response to amass121

PortForward.com has documents providing step-by-step guides on how to setup port forwarding for a huge list of routers<http://portforward.com/>

When outside your home, you need to tell your router to forward ftp requests to your Mac, assuming your ISP does not block port 21.

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Answer 2

amass121 Author

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Jan 24, 2011 6:36 PM in response to BobHarris

Thats what i did. I have verizon fios, and i select my computers ip address and then i forward it.

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Answer 3

BobHarris

Level 9

56,819 points

Jan 24, 2011 7:24 PM in response to amass121

Thats what i did. I have verizon fios, and i select my computers ip address and then i forward it.

I have Verizon FiOS, and I was able to get FTP working, although I really don't like FTP, as it is unsecure.

I have the Verizon ActionTec router. I configured Port Forwarding for port 21.

I configured System Preferences -> Sharing -> File Sharing -> Options -> FTP

I verified that the port was open using grc.com -> Shields Up -> User Specified Custom port -> 21.

I also verified by going through my own No-IP.com dynamic DNS name using the ftp command


ftp MyNoIPdynDNSname.redirectme.net

So all I can say is that it works for me. And I immediately shut it down, as FTP is so insecure. I prefer ssh/scp/sftp for external file transfer.

First question, can grc.com see your open FTP port?

Does your No-IP.com dynamic DNS name translate to your router's IP address?


host your.NoIP.name
open http://whatismyip.com

do they match? If not, then you are not updating your No-IP.com name.

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Answer 4

amass121 Author

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Jan 25, 2011 5:57 PM in response to BobHarris

I used the grc and it says that my port 21 is open. i have file sharing and ftp turned on my mac. When i go to no-ip, it does recognize my ip. The only reason i choose ftp is because i need to have my clients connect to my home system through go connect to server. they can not use any 3rd party apps. would you suggest anything other than ftp that would be better through go connect to server

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Answer 5

BobHarris

Level 9

56,819 points

Jan 25, 2011 6:34 PM in response to amass121

You tried:


host your.NoIP.name
open http://whatismyip.com

and it does not match?

If that is the case, then you need to get that working, as no matter what you use, your customers are going to want to be able to find your system.

I guess you could also just pay for a hosting service. Actually if you less than 2GB of files, you could use a free DropBox.com service. And if you have more than 2GB of files, DropBox.com still might be an easy option.

Back to getting FTP working on your Mac, as I've said, I can access FTP through my Verizon FiOS service, so if yours is properly configured, then in theory it should work as well.

Have you tried accessing your FTP server using the IP address you returned via


open http://whatismyip.com

Does that work?

Have you tried it from a Terminal session?


ftp ip.addr.from.whatismyip

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Answer 6

amass121 Author

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Jan 27, 2011 2:53 PM in response to BobHarris

I've tried whatsmyip and it returns my external ip. Should I
Just give verizon a call

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Answer 7

BobHarris

Level 9

56,819 points

Jan 27, 2011 3:17 PM in response to amass121

I've tried whatsmyip and it returns my external ip. Should I

That is what <http://whatismyip.com> is suppose to return.

And if your No-IP.com dynamic DNS name is working, it should ALSO return your external IP address.

Do you expect something different?

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Answer 8

amass121 Author

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Jan 28, 2011 5:11 AM in response to BobHarris

I knew that whatsmyip would do that. I'm just wondering my dns and FTP won't work. I've set everything up as it should be.

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Answer 9

BobHarris

Level 9

56,819 points

Jan 28, 2011 6:33 AM in response to amass121

Can you FTP to the address displayed by <http://whatismyip.com>?

If you can, then your FTP is setup correctly. If not, then your FTP is not configured correctly.

Do you have the firewall turned on? System Preferences -> Security. If so, try turning it off until you have everything working.

If the IP address specified by <http://whatismyip.com> does not work, then maybe you have multiple routers in your home. For example, if you have a broadband modem that is also a router, and then you have a separate WiFi base station, which your Mac is talking to. If that is the case, you need to put the 2nd router into "Bridge" mode. Depending on the make and model of the 2nd router, how you put it into bridge mode is different. Apple Airport Extreme base stations have a "Bridge" mode setting. Other routers tend to have options that disable DHCP which does the trick, and in some cases the router requires disabling DHCP and NAT services.

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