V7.0.2 FTP Problems

[Tim Weaver]

Since upgrading from 7.0.1 to 7.0.2 we have been experiencing FTP errors when doing a refresh or a large update where most of the pages have changed.

The error info is as follows:

2002 Type Set to I
227 Entering Passive Mode
425 Possible PASV Port Theft

Clicking Continue leads to an option to try continuing with http instead of ftp, which fails.

The only way I have found to recover is to cancel out, then re-do the refresh/update. With an update the next attempt has less files to send and eventually we get through it, but obviously with a refresh it has to resend all files and it is hit or miss - usually 2 out of 3 attempts fail.

FTP setting remains as with 7.0.1, i.e. Use Passive FTP Transfers ticked, other FTP options not ticked.

It makes upgrading a bit of a nightmare!

[cdicken]

I have just been answering a similar problem on another thread, and here is the response I gave.

Problems like this are very tricky to pin down as they are caused by a variety of factors. We do test uploading in many different configurations internally, but there will be some which still cause Actinic to trip up. There are several things I would recommend....

1) Once of the features of Enhanced FTP is that it produces a *.log file called ActinicFTP_1.log in the Site1 (or equivalent) folder. Could you take a look at this file and see if it gives any information.

2) Following any kind of update it is generally advised to perform a refresh. I would recommend going to 'Help | Troubleshooting | Web Site Purge and Refresh' and select 'Delete Perl Files...'. I see that we need to make this clearer in the upgrading documentation and instructions and I will do so.

3) It may be that this forum is not the most ideal place to diagnose and fix problems like this, and it may be advisable to register an email support query at http://www.actinic.co.uk/support/register.htm At least that way we can get hold of your FTP details, test your server and see if there is anything there causing a problem.

4) It is unfortunate that at the same time we release 7.0.2, Microsoft release SP2 for XP - which has been the cause of a number of connection problems for our customers (e.g. an extra firewall has suddenly appeared which was not there before). Could you let us know whether you are using XP with SP2?

Have you tried using 'Enhanced FTP' yet? Some people have found that it has helped with uploading problems.

[Tim Weaver]

I should have said that we are using NetBenefit. However, there is a suggestion now that FTP problems may be arising from broadband router settings not being compatible. Also, although I am running XP SP2, I have been for a while and experienced no problems with 7.0.1.

There are two other threads with similar problems and obviously a number of people suffering similar frustrations...

Chris has commented on the following thread:
http://community.actinic.com/showthread.php?t=10437

See also:
http://community.actinic.com/showthread.php?t=10476

[Tim Weaver]

Sorry Chris, our responses crossed in the ether. I will try enhanced FTP to see what happens, but the problem whilst solid with the complete refresh, is intermittent with an upload. It seems that the longer an FTP session lasts, the more likely it is to fail, so there could be some sort of marginal timing issue that is only invoked by mischance.

[Tim Weaver]

Some extra information gained from searching for the error messages with Google:

The ftp server is returning the 425 response because the source ip
address used to open the ftp control connection is not the same as the ip
address supplied for the data connection, so the connection is refused.

The preceding messages appear to be normal when setting up a passive FTP connection. This leads me to the suspicion that there may be a temporary loss of the data connection (due perhaps to server delays or whatever), but that the data re-connection is somehow allocated a different IP source address by the Router. (We use a multi-NAT router with an IP address pool so my limited technical knowledge suggests that such a scenario is feasible.)

If this is the case, I am not sure what the solution might be, or whether changing the FTP code to drop the control connection and re-establish both if there is a timeout on one...

[cdicken]

Tim

Just to let know, one of our developers has been asked to investigate whether 7.0.2 does have a detrimental effect on the uploading.

As you know, we have had a few people on the forum having issues with the upload, some of which have been put down to router issues and others fixed via a 'Web Site Purge and Refresh'. It still needs investigation, however, as to why 7.0.2 kicks up a fuss where 7.0.1 did not. I'll let you know the results.

In the meantime, I know next to nothing about router configuration, so if you have outstanding questions I suggest you raise an email support ticket and escalate it via that method.