09 Jul 10 Should I use Active or Passive mode for FTP?
FTP exists primarily for the transfer of data between two end points. FTP differs from HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol, used for serving websites via web browsers) fundamentally as it is an application made up of two distinct TCP connections:
1. Control connection: This TCP-based connection is used to provide a communications channel for the delivery of commands and replies. This is effectively the mechanism that enables the user to tell the server which file is being requested, which directory it is in, and so forth.
2. Data connection: The second TCP-based connection is used for the actual transfer of user data. Once the Control connection has been used to exchange information on which file is required, the Data connection is used to transfer the file between the client and server.
Using these two communication connections, two distinct modes of operation determine in which direction the connections are established: Active mode and Passive mode.
FTP is a TCP based service exclusively. There is no UDP (User Datagram Protocol transports data as a connectionless protocol, using packet switching) component to FTP. FTP is an unusual service in that it utilizes two ports, a Data port and a Command port (also known as the Control port). Traditionally these are port 21 for the Command (Control) port and port 20 for the Data port. The confusion begins however, when we find that depending on the mode, the data port is not always on port 20.
Active FTP
In active mode FTP the FTP client software connects from a random unprivileged (unprivileged port is a port which is higher than 1023) port. Let’s say N is the FTP server’s command port, port 21.
Then, the client starts listening to port N+1 and sends the FTP command PORT N+1 to the FTP server. The server will then connect back to the client’s specified data port from its local data port, which is port 20.
Here in this mode of FTP, Gossimer doesn’t need to open any additional non-secure ports on our servers firewall and hence is secure from the server-side.
Passive FTP
In passive mode FTP, the FTP client initiates both connections to the server. When opening an FTP connection, the client opens two random unprivileged ports, lets say N and N+1. The first port contacts the server on port 21, but instead of then issuing a PORT command and allowing the server to connect back to its data port, the client will issue the PASV command. The result of this is that the server then opens a random unprivileged port lets say P and sends the PORT command back to the client. The client then initiates the connection from port N+1 to port P on the server to transfer data.
This method of FTP is insecure, as a random unprivileged port is opened on the Server. This is a potential security issue and it isn’t advisable to use the Passive mode of FTP.
IMPORTANT
All Gossimer Windows and Linux web servers support both Active as well as Passive modes.
All popular FTP software allow users to select the data connection mode (Active or Passive), when uploading/downloading data to a web server.
Reference:
Click here to read how to set data connection mode in CuteFTP >>
Click here to read how to set data connection mode in 3D-FTP >>
Click here to read how to set data connection mode in CoreFTP >>
Click here to read how to set data connection mode in SmartFTP >>
Click here to read how to set data connection mode in WS_FTP >>
Tags: Client Software, Command port, Communication Connections, Communications Channel, Confusion, Connectionless Protocol, Control port, Data port, Distinct Modes, Firewall, Ftp Client Software, Ftp Command, Ftp Port, Ftp Server, Ftp Software, Gossimer, http, Hyper Text Transfer, Hyper Text Transfer Protocol, Linux, Microsoft Windows, Modes Of Operation, packet switching, Passive Mode Ftp, Ports, Tcp Connections, Text Transfer Protocol, Transports, UDP, User Datagram Protocol, Web Browsers, Web Server, Web Servers
30 Jun 10 Generating the code to put on your website
In order to use the Live Chat Service on your website, you need to retrieve the HTML code and put it on your website.
Follow the steps mentioned below to obtain the code:
1. Login to your Control Panel, search for the Domain Name for which you have purchased the Live Chat Service and proceed to the Order Details view page. Click here to know how >>
2. Here, click Manage Live Chat Service. This will take you to the Registered members area.
3. Here, click the code that you require from the different types of codes listed under INTEGRATION CODE section, and copy this code to your website. Click here to know about different types of codes available >>
1. If you use the code available within the LivehelpGenie Operator software, the visitors will be visible only to the Agent who copied the code.
2. The code provided in the software is different than the one provided within the control panel.
3. Ports in the range 37643 to 37648 need to be enabled/opened for the following to work:
i. Live Chat Agent software – If this software is installed on a computer that is behind a Firewall or Proxy Server, then you need to request your System Administrator to enable/open these ports for you.
If you are connected to the Internet via a Cable/DSL ISP, then you need to contact your ISP and request them to enable these for you. Typically, Dial-up Internet users do not face port blocking issues and would not have to request their ISP for enabling these ports.
ii. Live Chat code for your website – If the web server where your website is hosted (which has the LivehelpGenie Live Chat code installed) behind a Firewall, then you need to request your Web Hosting Provider to enable/open these ports for you.
Tags: Agent Software, Area 3, Cable Dsl, Chat Code, Chat Service, Control Panel, Domain Name, Firewall, Gt 2, HTML, Html Code, Integration Code, Internet Users, Isp, Live Chat, Live Chat Service, Members Area, Operator Software, Ports, Proxy Server, Registered, System Administrator, Web Hosting, Web Hosting Provider, Web Server
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