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    Hi, Problem accesing FTP behind pfsense firewall

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Firewalling
    46 Posts 5 Posters 17.3k Views
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    • D
      dvirshiber
      last edited by

      wait a sec…

      After i deleted the 1:1 NAT (follow by KOM idea) , the ftp server is not using it's public IP anymore when it go out . (it start using our "general" network IP NAT)

      I know that when i used the checkpoint router i was bind the internal IP to the Public IP through its MAC address.
      I guess i need to do the same thing here , but how?

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      • KOMK
        KOM
        last edited by

        Do you have a Virtual IP alias (Firewall - Aliases) for your public IP used by your FTP server?

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        • D
          dvirshiber
          last edited by

          Hey, I'm not so familiar with this setting,
          What should I do there?

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          • KOMK
            KOM
            last edited by

            What should I do there?

            Well, that depends on whether or not you have more than one public IP address.  If you have more than one, you use Virtual IPs to let pfSense handle them, and you use those IPs in your NAT rules as destinations.  I don't want to confuse the issue though.  This shouldn't be that hard:

            • 1 NAT port forward for port 21 to your ftp server

            • 1 NAT port forward for the passive port space you are using to your ftp server

            • 1 firewall rule to allow the port 21 traffic to your ftp server

            • 1 firewall rule to allow the passive port space traffic to your ftp server

            That's it.  This assumes that your ftp server works properly and is configured properly.

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            • D
              dvirshiber
              last edited by

              First , i'd like to thank you for your help.

              second , for all those who will have the same problem like me :

              I installed FileZilla server at the FTP server , and things began to work just fine!

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              • KOMK
                KOM
                last edited by

                I was starting to suspect that it was your FTP server.  Glad to hear you got it working.  Which server were you running before, so that we know to avoid it?

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                • johnpozJ
                  johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                  last edited by

                  Yeah would be curious to what ftp server you were using as well, most likely it was not sending out its correct public IP but its private IP when doing passive connections.  Filezilla makes it quite easy to manipulate using private or public and even offer solutions for your public to be looked up by the ftp server, etc.

                  While you stated you set the passive to a limited range, I have to assume any ftp server that allowed for that would also allow for use of public IP vs its local private IP.

                  An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                  If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                  Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                  SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

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                  • D
                    doktornotor Banned
                    last edited by

                    @johnpoz:

                    Yeah would be curious to what ftp server you were using as well

                    MicroShit IIS. There's a screenshot a page back.  ::)

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                    • KOMK
                      KOM
                      last edited by

                      I saw that screen but it told me nothing.  I don't use IIS for anything, ever.  It figures, though.  Microsoft.

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                      • D
                        dvirshiber
                        last edited by

                        well, i have 2 ftp servers , one with 2008 and one with 2003. (no 3rd party application, just the classic iis managment)
                        the problem were at the two of them.

                        After the Zilla installation (btw it can't be install on 2003 , just from 2008 and above…) i configure the passive port range (again) but at the setting windows of the Filezilla, and it works like magic.

                        Actually i installed the zilla only for it's LOG , and on the way it solved my problem so i'm good with it.

                        my next step is to set the VPN users (instead the endpoint connect of the checkpoint VPN)  , but i'm sure it will be more easier , elsewhere my managers will probably kill me .

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                        • D
                          doktornotor Banned
                          last edited by

                          @KOM:

                          It figures, though.  Microsoft.

                          Yeah. They get the ftp.exe client totally wrong, and the server is no better.

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                          • johnpozJ
                            johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                            last edited by

                            I have not had to deal with ftp in IIS for YEARS and YEARS..  Would have to fire up a copy to see if it lets you set the IP to use for passive when its on a private?  There are much better options for ftp servers than IIS that is for sure ;)

                            To be honest you should try and get away from ftp altogether and use either sftp or just plain http or https.

                            An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                            If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                            Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                            SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • D
                              dvirshiber
                              last edited by

                              Yes , i will think about it. maybe you right.

                              Our company developing a desktop software for nursing homes , and long time care hospitals that one of it's features is to get lab results automaticaly .(u know like hemoglobin, rdw ,wbc, cholesterol …)
                              So the way we choose to perform this operation is to connect to the FTP via activeX and simply download the HL7 files (if u familiar with web services) that belongs to the hospital.

                              Every hospital have a uniqe ID , so at the FTP server we created a folder tree , every folder is the uniqe id of each hospital.

                              thats why we choose to work with ftp , so every client after they connect to the server operate 3 simple commands:
                              CD <unique id)="" <br="">mget *.hl7
                              del *.hl7
                              (bye)

                              i'm not sure i will succeed the same proccess with other protocol like http to control these commands.</unique>

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                              • D
                                doktornotor Banned
                                last edited by

                                @dvirshiber:

                                connect to the FTP via activeX

                                You'd better avoid more details…

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                                • KOMK
                                  KOM
                                  last edited by

                                  Yeah, the FTP via ActiveX kind of hit me too.  Ancient insecure Internet protocol combined with ancient insecure MS technology.  And this is something you're developing new, or some old thing you are tasked with maintaining?  Sending patient data over unencrypted links.  Is that even HIPAA Title II-compliant?

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                                  • D
                                    doktornotor Banned
                                    last edited by

                                    The only thing missing in the nightmare mix is some nifty Flash management GUI… HIPAA or not -- but dude, you realize you are dealing with highly sensitive personal data?!?  :o :o :o

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                                    • D
                                      dvirshiber
                                      last edited by

                                      :-)

                                      OK , so i'm using this (very) weird thread to ask an "off-topic" question:

                                      If i will install a simple pci wireless network adapter, will that linux machine become a wireless router ?
                                      i mean , can i turn that new adapter into  wlan interface?

                                      If that's not fit here, i can post a new thread but i think i wore you out anyway … (passive aggresive...)

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                                      • johnpozJ
                                        johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                                        last edited by

                                        Why would anyone in their right might do that??  When you can pick up a wireless router for say $20 and use it just as AP, or you could get a TRUE AP for less than <$100 for sure..  Shit for $149 you can get new unifi AC pro AP… Why would anyone stick a pci card in a pc and want to use that as a AP???  Why Why Why??

                                        Oh prob the same people that think is ok to send personal information of their customers over a unencrypted ftp xfer ;)

                                        https://www.ubnt.com/unifi/unifi-ap-ac-pro/

                                        The lite model is going to run for under $90...

                                        An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                                        If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                                        Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                                        SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

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