# \[tech help wanted\] Cute FTP

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-help-wanted-cute-ftp/134428>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 29, 2002, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-help-wanted-cute-ftp/134428 "2002-10-29T18:32:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-help-wanted-cute-ftp/134428/1 "2002-10-29T18:32:08Z")

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trying to connect to an FTP server. I have the un + pw all set, I get connected and then: wham

ERROR:\> Can’t connect to remote server. Socket error = #10060.  
ERROR:\> Failed to establish data socket.

I can’t find the problem, neither can the guy who has the server.  
Suggestions, anyone?

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**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-help-wanted-cute-ftp/134428/2 "2002-10-29T19:23:24Z")

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It has the look-and-feel of a firewall problem.

Can other users FTP to the server ?

Can you FTP to other servers ?

S. Norman

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**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-help-wanted-cute-ftp/134428/3 "2002-10-29T19:30:17Z")

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Others can download from that server. I can download from other servers. I have zonealarm…

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**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-help-wanted-cute-ftp/134428/4 "2002-10-29T19:44:36Z")

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Feh. That does make it more annoying.

Socket error 10060 indicates a time-out problem - somehow, either no file transfer session is started from the host or the data is filtered out along the way.

Hmmm.

Ponder this I must.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-help-wanted-cute-ftp/134428/5 "2002-10-29T19:59:35Z")

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Could be a problem with active/passive FTP settings and a mix-up between your client and his server.

Passive FTP has the ftp client initiate two connections with port# \> 1024, one for the telnet-like interface and one for the actual data transfer. (Having the client initiate both means that firewalls etc. will know what to do with the arriving data stream.)

If his server somehow gets confused with your client, it might very well open the user connection, but barf at the data connection. Perhaps a go with another client might be worth your while ?

(Active FTP means having the client open the user interface and the server will then initiate the data transfer - which plays merry hell with most firewalls, who’re not inclined to let an external host initiate anything. It’s falling into disuse for that reason.)

Or it could be something else entirely.😃