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FTP - Over my PN Connection

markos
Grafter
Posts: 80
Thanks: 9
Registered: ‎20-02-2013

FTP - Over my PN Connection

Hi,

 

I'm a freelance PHP developer and as such do a fair amount of FTP'ing up and down to web servers.

 

I've had an intermittent issue lately that I've been thrashing out with the server providers where my FTP transfers will simply hang. It might download 50mb and stop on a 3k file for a minute or two and then pick up and carry on. Or it might do 500mb and then hang for a minute on every file there after. There's no pattern to it. It can be one file, or a 1000 files in the queue. Makes no odds.

I've been a PHP developer for the last 20 years, so yes I'm well aware that servers can be busy, no I'm not on Wifi, no it's not dropping the PN connection, no it's not after 3pm when the kids get home, etc. etc.

 

I've tried three different FTP clients. It's not all to the same server. One server provider has gone to great lengths analysing log files their end as well as the logs from my FTP clients. We cannot see any rhyme nor reason for it.

Is there anything that my Plusnet fibre connection could possibly be doing - packet shaping, whatever, that could be causing me these FTP issues?

 

I'm getting 60 down and 20 up - there abouts anyway. We can stream 4K video without any issue, but upload and download a 10mb website and I could be there for an absolute age.

Cheers,

M.

15 REPLIES 15
Bingstroller
Hooked
Posts: 5
Registered: ‎18-05-2018

Re: FTP - Over my PN Connection

Hi,
I appreciate it's an older post but I am having the exact same problem.

I've spent the last few days either diagnosing or Googling and it's driving me crazy.

It's got to the stage where I am about to reinstall windows and factory reset my router to rebuild my network from scratch.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
markos
Grafter
Posts: 80
Thanks: 9
Registered: ‎20-02-2013

Re: FTP - Over my PN Connection

I’m still getting the problem, it was never addressed. Drives me mad. I can download 20 files no problem and it can be just a favicon.ico and it sits there for 3 minutes 😳
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: FTP - Over my PN Connection

@markos Wow! That's a long time to have no resolution on this. Have you configured your FTP Client to use PASV mode? If I recall correctly Windows FTP.exe has never supported it but I'm sure one if not all of the clients you have tried will.

Also, do you have access to a Linux machine? If so what results do you get?

 

Bingstroller
Hooked
Posts: 5
Registered: ‎18-05-2018

Re: FTP - Over my PN Connection

It only just started to happen for me a couple of days ago, up until then I didn't have a problem. Previously every download would go through without a problem.
Three factors have changed 1. Windows update 2. FTP client update 3. I downloaded heavily.
Also I have tried passive, changed client and also tried SFTP all to no avail. (just about to try Swish to rule out 3rd party client)
Markos - Thanks for getting back to me, obviously I had hoped there was a solution that I had overlooked.
Will keep at it and update on my progress.
markos
Grafter
Posts: 80
Thanks: 9
Registered: ‎20-02-2013

Re: FTP - Over my PN Connection

Thanks @Anonymous - yes I’ve tried PASV, along with all manner of other settings. I’ve given up, can’t reproduce at will nor can I can find any common factor with it. I’ve just accepted it now as one of those things I have to put up with. For the record I’m using CuteFTP, but I’ve tried a whole bunch of others and get the same problem - hence why I think it’s either the ISP, my firewall (NORTON Int Security) or something in Win10.

 

Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: FTP - Over my PN Connection

@markos - I've had dealing with CuteFTP in the past and found it OK, add to that that I don't think it's Plusnet's issue either as I and many others use FTP on a daily basis without issue; it it were a Plusnet problem then this Forum would know about it.

Now Norton IS on the other hand is poison to any PC, words cannot describe the contempt I have for it (and it's ilk). As you're using Windows 10 I'll suggest that you ditch it and just run with with inbuilt Security Essentials. If you do do it several thing will happen, the first and most noticeable will be a marked response in your PC as the parasite that Norton is won't be leaching your valuable resources and your FTP may well work as it should.

But this is just my 10p's worth as an Ex Norton user.

markos
Grafter
Posts: 80
Thanks: 9
Registered: ‎20-02-2013

Re: FTP - Over my PN Connection

@Anonymous Thanks.

 

I hear what you’re saying but my view of Norton is the complete reverse! It’s been my go to system protection for some time. They’ve served up a few clangers in their time Norton 360 was dire, and about 7 or 8 years ago it did indeed run like a dog with a resource hungry, memory leaking pile of guano. But they fixed it, and I like their support service too. I don’t get that comfort factor with Security Essentials. That said it’s a great product and it’s free, but there’s a concern that it’s a product that, as it’s name suggests, is just the bare essentials. I tend to think the paid for service proivders need to fight to get their dollar. Again, like you, my 10p worth!

 

Still don’t know about the ftp issue. MTU maybe?

 

 

 

 

Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: FTP - Over my PN Connection

@markos - Each to their own of course. As for the MTU I assume you've not changed it from the default. I have a Jumbo MTU of 9K set on all of my interfaces on my LAN (set via option 26 on my DHCP server) and again I can FTP without issue. The only time I've had issue with an MTU was on a VPN when using an SSL Tunnel between two DrayTek routers. This was 'fixed' by moving to IPSec.

 

Minvalla
Hooked
Posts: 6
Registered: ‎14-02-2013

Re: FTP - Over my PN Connection

Hi all - I have been experiencing this problem - hung files, then clears after a long wait, failed remote directory listings etc.

I have tested with many machines on my LAN, plain or TLS, with several ftp clients, all able to use passive mode and have concluded it is a problem somewhere within the BT Infinity network which Plusnet sits on.

 

I replicated the issue on a laptop then switched it to use my Android phone's hotspot and the problem went away, uploaded 1000 files without interruption.

I even had the ftp target servers checked independently, all ok.

 

This has all worked fine before on the same FTTC line so why are BT reluctant to investigate? 

 

I really need this fixed and would welcome a response from Plusnet!

 

markos
Grafter
Posts: 80
Thanks: 9
Registered: ‎20-02-2013

Re: FTP - Over my PN Connection

I'm still not sure where the problem lays, but mine seems to manifest itself at entirely the wrong moments. FTP all day long, no problem. But have a live demo over the phone and one file I need to tweak mid-demo won't FTP up without a lengthy delay!

Minvalla
Hooked
Posts: 6
Registered: ‎14-02-2013

Re: FTP - Over my PN Connection

Has to be a routing problem within the Infinity network. I have a spare plusnet router, same problem....also tried plain connection to a specific IP address to rule out DNS or TLS issues.

What would it take to get Plusnet to have it investigated? FTP is a fundamental requirement even for basic users!

Gandalf
Community Gaffer
Community Gaffer
Posts: 26,563
Thanks: 10,265
Fixes: 1,599
Registered: ‎21-04-2017

Re: FTP - Over my PN Connection

Hi @Minvalla

Our tests aren't showing any issues with your service. Due to this any fault report we raise with our suppliers would likely come back to us to book an engineer visit with you which may incur a call out charge if an engineer finds no fault.

Obviously we'd like to be sure there is a fault on the Openreach network before we go down this path.

Are you able to run a traceroute for us to the target server?

From 31st October 2022, I no longer have a regular presence here as I’ve moved on to a new role.
Anoush Mortazavi
Plusnet
Minvalla
Hooked
Posts: 6
Registered: ‎14-02-2013

Re: FTP - Over my PN Connection

Hi - thanks very much for the reply.

 

Below is 3 sets of ftp log excerpts with associated tracert outputs, for 3 different ftp sites.

FYI the plusnet router is connected directly to the master socket and have tried disconnecting all other phone equipment.

 

BTW I do have a separate call with you investigating recurring line drops (up to once a day) currently in progress.

 

All the best
Pete

====================================

 

 

Status: Connecting to 91.109.241.138:21...
Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...
Status: Logged in
Status: Starting upload of S:\tmp\bridge\bridge\404.php
Status: Retrieving directory listing of "/public_html/anaxent.com/bridge"...
Status: File transfer successful, transferred 1,714 bytes in 1 second
Status: Starting upload of S:\tmp\bridge\bridge\archive.php
Status: File transfer successful, transferred 2,634 bytes in 1 second
Status: Starting upload of S:\tmp\bridge\bridge\blog-chequered.php
Status: File transfer successful, transferred 5,141 bytes in 1 second
Status: Starting upload of S:\tmp\bridge\bridge\blog-compound.php
Command: PASV
Response: 227 Entering Passive Mode (91,109,241,138,218,228).
Command: STOR blog-compound.php
Error: Connection timed out after 20 seconds of inactivity
Error: File transfer failed
Status: Disconnected from server

 

C:\Users\Pete>tracert 91.109.241.138

Tracing route to server90063.uk2net.com [91.109.241.138]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 1 ms 1 ms 1 ms dsldevice.lan [192.168.1.254]
2 5 ms 5 ms 4 ms 84.93.253.104
3 6 ms 5 ms 5 ms 84.93.253.107
4 * * * Request timed out.
5 19 ms 19 ms 19 ms peer5-hu0-6-0-4.telehouse.ukcore.bt.net [62.172.103.21]
6 * * * Request timed out.
7 7 ms 6 ms 7 ms 83.170.70.226
8 8 ms 7 ms 7 ms server90063.uk2net.com [91.109.241.138]

Trace complete.

C:\Users\Pete>


Status: Resolving address of soundsbad.net
Status: Connecting to 82.71.204.19:21...
Status: Resolving address of soundsbad.net
Status: Connecting to 82.71.204.19:21...
Status: Resolving address of soundsbad.net
Status: Connecting to 82.71.204.19:21...
Status: Resolving address of soundsbad.net
Status: Connecting to 82.71.204.19:21...
Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...
Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...
Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...
Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...
Status: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...
Response: 421 Too many connections (5) from this IP
Error: Could not connect to server
Status: Disconnected from server
Status: Delaying connection for 5 seconds due to previously failed connection attempt...
Status: Initializing TLS...

C:\Users\Pete>tracert 82.71.204.19

Tracing route to cp11.hosting.zen.net.uk [82.71.204.19]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 1 ms <1 ms 1 ms dsldevice.lan [192.168.1.254]
2 5 ms 7 ms 5 ms 84.93.253.104
3 6 ms 6 ms 5 ms 84.93.253.111
4 6 ms 5 ms 5 ms 195.99.125.138
5 6 ms 5 ms 11 ms peer8-et-7-0-2.telehouse.ukcore.bt.net [109.159.252.100]
6 * * * Request timed out.
7 13 ms 13 ms 13 ms ae3-0.cr2.wh-man.zen.net.uk [62.3.80.57]
8 13 ms 13 ms 13 ms ae1-0.cr2.sp-roch.zen.net.uk [62.3.80.97]
9 13 ms 13 ms 13 ms no-dns-yet-62-3-81-238.zen.co.uk [62.3.81.238]
10 14 ms 13 ms 14 ms 62.3.80.134
11 14 ms 14 ms 13 ms cp11.hosting.zen.net.uk [82.71.204.19]

Trace complete.

C:\Users\Pete>


Status: Starting upload of S:\tmp\bridge\bridge\css\img\remove-icon-x2.png
Command: PASV
Response: 227 Entering Passive Mode (188,165,227,171,236,98).
Command: STOR remove-icon-x2.png
Response: 150 Opening BINARY mode data connection.
Error: Connection timed out after 20 seconds of inactivity
Error: File transfer failed
Status: Disconnected from server
Status: Resolving address of ns337825.ip-188-165-227.eu
Status: Connecting to 188.165.227.171:21...
Status: Connection closed by server


C:\Users\Pete>tracert 188.165.227.171

Tracing route to ns337825.ip-188-165-227.eu [188.165.227.171]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 1 ms <1 ms <1 ms dsldevice.lan [192.168.1.254]
2 6 ms 5 ms 6 ms 84.93.253.104
3 6 ms 5 ms 6 ms 84.93.253.107
4 * * * Request timed out.
5 6 ms 6 ms 7 ms peer5-hu0-2-0-2.telehouse.ukcore.bt.net [213.121.193.201]
6 * * * Request timed out.
7 17 ms 19 ms 19 ms be100-1041.rbx-g1-nc5.fr.eu [94.23.122.144]
8 * * * Request timed out.
9 * * * Request timed out.
10 * * * Request timed out.
11 10 ms 10 ms 9 ms ns337825.ip-188-165-227.eu [188.165.227.171]

Trace complete.

C:\Users\Pete>

 

SammyM
Plusnet Help Team
Plusnet Help Team
Posts: 1,901
Thanks: 411
Fixes: 93
Registered: ‎22-01-2018

Re: FTP - Over my PN Connection

Hello @Minvalla,

 

Thanks for getting back to us with your traceroute, and looking at the results it is not highlighting any problems with the connection either.

 

The next step would be to raise a fault to our suppliers and investigate this further. We will update you via your fault ticket on your account.

 

If this post resolved your issue please click the 'This fixed my problem' button
 Sammy M - Sheffield Team
 Plusnet Help Team