setting up an ftp server on a second pc

[vtecfay]

Hi, wonder if anyone can help me, because ive been trying to get this working for over a week and its driving me nuts.

Basically, i have 2 PCs connected on a netwokr, PC1 is connected to a cable modem. I have ICS runing so both computers can access the internet. Now, i have no problems setting up an FTP server on PC1, but when i try to set it up on PC2, my friends cannot connect to it.

Any ideas from a network expert, much will be appreciated.

[vtecfay]

Please, someone help me. I know there are some nice people out there.

[Greenstead]

There are lots of nice people out here but I guess we don't know anything about FTP servers (me neither).

The only thing I can think of is that I connect to my home LAN for things like remote desktop and netmeeting and I have to forward the correct ports to the PC I need to connect to. I would have thought that would be the same with an FTP service.

ICS is a NAT router in software form so it rejects all incoming connections that are unsolicitied (i.e. not initiated from with the LAN). ICS has a facility to forward ports to internal LAN IP addresses to allow incoming connections. I would have thought you were doing this already to allow connection to PC1. Find out what port the FTP service uses and forward it to PC2's IP address.

Is that any use ?

[vtecfay]

Thanks for the reply Greenstead.

I figured out what it was. PC1 runs a DHCP server which assigns an IP address for PC2 but those IP addresss are non-routerable, which means they cant be accessed from the internet but only within the LAN.

The only way, is ask my ISP to give me another IP address, so i have 2, but that will be very unlikely.

Anyway, thanks for helping greenstead.

[yankee1]

they are routerable, as greenstead said. you have to forward the ftp port (is 21 i believe) to the internal ip of the comp running the server

[DynamO]

I dunno about routing in ICS as I haven't done it, but if it is available, route ports 20 and 21 to the network address of PC2.. Of course, on PC2, you have to set the FTP server to use the internal IP address as well.. Simple solution is to get a cheap 4 port router.. Most routers have this option built in.. plus you don't need ICS anymore..