Mac FTP *problem*

[PeterD]

I have a customer who *suddenly* can't access his site using Fetch, the Mac FTP program. He insists he hasn't changed setting in his FTP client and can access other FTP sites. At our end we haven't altered any settings t hat would prevent him getting in, and we can gain FTP access without a problem using our Win2K system.

I haven't heard of any Mac-proof FTP servers out there - does anyone have any idea what might be the problem?

Transcript of Mac FTP session:

Fetch 4.0.3 System 0x1028 Serial FETCHFL001-27FA-P9DA TR
Connecting to nt24.xxxx.xxx port 21 (1/23/04 12:00:24 PM)
220 nt24 Microsoft FTP Service (Version 5.0).
ADAT
500 'ADAT This command is checking whether this server supports Kerberos or GSS security, see RFC 2228': command not understood
USER xxxx
331 Password required for chriscam.
PASS
230 User xxxx logged in.
SYST
215 Windows_NT version 5.0
PWD
257 "/xxxx" is current directory.
MACB ENABLE
500 'MACB ENABLE': command not understood
SITE DIRSTYLE
200 MSDOS-like directory output is on
SITE DIRSTYLE

[Brangwyn]

230 User chriscam logged in.

That log to me looks like he is actually getting in, whats he saying is happening ?

[PeterD]

Yes, you're right. He gets in, and then nothing.

Apparently Fetch uses a little running doggy graphic as its busy "hourglass" when its going away to get files and the like. But the doggy never fetches, it just keeps running - 10 minutes and the customer gave up. I can only imagine its trying to get a directory listing, judging by the transcript. Unfortunately (and not to cast aspersions on Macs or their users) the customer is disadvantaged by a lack of tech knowledge, and the software predictably doesn't report any errors either. So I have no more info to go on.

Peter

[Two Roads Media]

What OS are they using? 9.2? OSX?

If they are on OSX, they might consider migrating to a new FTP Client. Fetch is ok, but there are better one's available out there.

I'd be happy to make some recommendations.

[jmbeach]

This may be a hard sell, but Fetch doesn't look like it's very loved - http://download.com.com/3000-2151-10054365.html

You may suggest they download another Mac FTP app to try instead - http://download.com.com/3150-2151-0.html?tag=stbc.gp

That is, if you can convince them to try.

[Brangwyn]

I'd say that perhaps some of the problems he's having are related to vortechs router issues, I've been having a pretty hard time using FTP myself last day or so, lots of time outs.

[Light Speed]

If they are using OS X they should upgrade to a more modern FTP app.
I would suggest Transmit:
http://www.panic.com/transmit/

Also make sure that in System Preferences under the Network pane that in the proxies section they have "Use Passive FTP Mode (PASV)" selected.


They can also use the Terminal but this is uncomfortable for GUI only people

(*) The "terminal" way: If you open up Terminal in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder, you can use the built in 'FTP' command. To upload, you would need to do the following:

i. Begin by typing ftp "username@host" where username is your user name and host is the server address, i.e. myserver.com. ( omit the " of course)

i. Enter in the password when it prompts you.

ii. Typing in 'ls' will give you a listing of all files and folders in the current folder. To find out where you are, type in "pwd". To move to another directory, simply use the "cd path" command. Replace path with the name of the folder. So for example, to go to my images folder, I would type in "cd images". To backtrack, simply type in "cd .." to go back one level. To make a directory, type in "mkdir directory_name" where directory_name is the directory's name.

iv. Once you are where you want to be, type in "put" and press enter. It will then ask you for a local-file. Simply drag and drop the file into the terminal window. Then, press enter. Now it will ask you for the remote-file. This is where you type the file's name, such as "image.jpg".

v. Once you're done, type in exit to log off the server.

Other commands you can use: "get filename" will download an item (it will put it in your home folder I believe). To remove a folder, type in "rm -rf foldername". To remove a file, type in "rm filename". To move a file, use "mv current_file_location new_file_location", replacing current_file_location with the path where the file is now and new_file_location where you want to move it. You use the "mv" command to rename files in a similar manner. To change permissions, you'll need to use the command 'chmod'.

You can get more information on the built in FTP using man FTP in terminal.