FTP Connection refused error - Solution to problem
If you get an error (ftp Connection refused) when using FTP client under Linux such as Connection refused, then you can fix this problem using following method.
Make sure ftp server installed
Make sure ftp server installed and service is running. Under Debian Linux you can use dpkg command to verify that ftp server installed:
$ dpkg -l | grep -i "ftp"Output:
ii ftpd 0.17-21 FTP server
OR run following command:
$ dpkg -l | grep -i ftp
Under Red Hat/Novell Suse/Fedora Linux try rpm command:
# rpm -qa | grep -i "*ftp*"
In any case if you have the ftp package installed it will return output. If the ftp package is not installed, it will notify you or it will not give you any output at all. Naturally next logical step is to install FTP server.
Under Red Hat/Fedora Linux install vsftpd server as follows:
# up2date vsftpd
OR if you are using Fedora Linux use yum:
# yum install vsftpd
If you are using Debian Linux use apt-get command:
# apt-get install vsftpd
Next configure vsftpd by modifying /etc/vsftpd.conf file.
Is ftp server running (is port 21 open)?
Login to ftp server using ssh and try to telnet port 21 (to see port is open or not):
$ telnet localhost 21
Next run netstat -tulpn command to see if port 21 is in open:
$ netstat -tulpn | grep :21
Output:
tcp 0 0 0.0.0.0:21 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN
OR try following command:
$ netstat -a | grep ftpOutput:
tcp 0 0 *:ftp *:* LISTEN
If port is not open, start ftp server /service. Under RedHat/Fedora Linux use service command:
# service vsftpd start
Under Debian Linux use following command:
# /etc/init.d/vsftpd start
FTP user permissions
Is particular user not allowed to use your vsftpd ftp server, then make sure user got permission to use your ftp server. File /etc/ftpusers - list of users disallowed use vsftpd server access. Make sure user name is not in this file.
Security or Firewall
Make sure iptables firewall/tcpd does not block access to your ftp server. Run following command on ftp server (login over ssh):
# iptables -L -nOutput:
Chain INPUT (policy DROP) target prot opt source destination ACCEPT all -- 0.0.0.0/0 0.0.0.0/0 ACCEPT all -- 0.0.0.0/0 0.0.0.0/0 state RELATED,ESTABLISHED ACCEPT tcp -- 0.0.0.0/0 0.0.0.0/0 tcp dpts:6881:6882 ACCEPT udp -- 202.54.1.254 0.0.0.0/0 udp dpt:514 ACCEPT tcp -- 0.0.0.0/0 0.0.0.0/0 tcp dpts:80 state NEW,RELATED,ESTABLISHED LOG all -- 0.0.0.0/0 0.0.0.0/0 LOG flags 0 level 4 DROP all -- 0.0.0.0/0 0.0.0.0/0 Chain FORWARD (policy ACCEPT) target prot opt source destination Chain OUTPUT (policy ACCEPT) target prot opt source destination ACCEPT all -- 0.0.0.0/0 0.0.0.0/0
Above output does not allows port 21 (port 21 is blocked by firewall). You need to use iptables rules to open port 21. Make sure file /etc/hosts.deny (TCPD wrappers) does not block access to port 21 for your ftp host.
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Discussion on This FAQ
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November 28th, 2006 at 7:41 am
Thanks the command service vsftpd start resolved temporarily my issue. I am now searching for where to add this so that this service starts at run level 3
November 28th, 2006 at 8:53 am
Paul,
If you are using Redhat/CentOS/Fedora Core use ntsysv command to turn on vsftpd. If you are using other distro let me know name of distro.
ntsysv
March 3rd, 2007 at 9:34 am
hi all iam working in encryptor project when iwant testing this project with ftp some problems was appeared like stalled
PLEASE HELP ME
THANKS FOR ALL
August 17th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Thanks you , The command ” service vsftpd start ”
resolved my question . Have anywhere to study linux configure __come from china
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:19 am
hei…
i can connect to the ftp port buy my user is not authorized to login? how can i fix this ?
September 25th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
I tried everything here, my service is running, everything is working on the port 21. But when I try to log in with a user, this is the error I get:
Transfer channel can’t be opened. Reason: A socket operation was attempted to an unreachable host.
Error: Could not retrieve directory listing
Anyone know why this is happening? I have made sure that iptables isn’t blocking my port and its still not working.
April 7th, 2008 at 12:01 am
nice article i almost my ftp server using your help, but i had some firewall issues which i solved from another blog, Installing proftpd Thanks Guys you all brillaint .. my ftp server is working fine.