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Unable to download from FTP

julesandsand
Grafter
Posts: 176
Registered: ‎18-02-2009

Unable to download from FTP

I have 3 Sony Vaio laptops and a desktop at home (3 running Vista 1 with W7). I am unable to download updates from the Vaio update site. I have a Belkin N+ router with it's firewall enabled, none of the PCs run a software firewall.  Sony say that the update site uses FTP usually via port 21. I tried disabling the router's firewall to no avail. How do I check whether port 21 is open or closed?
9 REPLIES 9
Waldo
Grafter
Posts: 473
Registered: ‎01-08-2007

Re: Unable to download from FTP

You could try and telnet into a server known to use port 21 and see if you get a response:

$ telnet ftp.vaio-link.com 21
Trying 213.248.114.178...
Connected to 36871.ftp.download.akadns.net.
Escape character is '^]'.
220 spftp/1.0.0000 Server [213.248.114.178]
^]
telnet> q
Connection closed.

Are you using the Plusnet firewall (accessed from the Member Centre)? I think that blocks port 21
I guess you could try the downloads section of the Vaio Support web site for the updates you're looking for.
julesandsand
Grafter
Posts: 176
Registered: ‎18-02-2009

Re: Unable to download from FTP

Thanks,
I'll try the telnet. I'm not using the PN firewall, only that built into the router. I've already tried the direct download route with no success.
julesandsand
Grafter
Posts: 176
Registered: ‎18-02-2009

Re: Unable to download from FTP

Obviously  I'm doing something wrong here!

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.
C:\Users\VGNAW41MF>cd\
C:\>telnet ftp.vaio-link.com 21
'telnet' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
How exactly do I use telnet?
julesandsand
Grafter
Posts: 176
Registered: ‎18-02-2009

Re: Unable to download from FTP

OK turned telnet on in control panel
julesandsand
Grafter
Posts: 176
Registered: ‎18-02-2009

Re: Unable to download from FTP

Entered the telnet command at the prompt,
I get this line and a flashing cursor below and nothing else happens,
220 spftp/1.0.0000 Server [213.248.114.178]
What does it mean?
Waldo
Grafter
Posts: 473
Registered: ‎01-08-2007

Re: Unable to download from FTP

It means you're connected to the FTP server with IP address 213.248.114.178 (hosted by Akamai) on port 21.  Smiley
If your firewall is still running it isn't blocking port 21.
Back to the drawing board on why your updates are failing, I guess  Undecided
julesandsand
Grafter
Posts: 176
Registered: ‎18-02-2009

Re: Unable to download from FTP

Well it's definitely a modem problem. Swapped the Belkin for a Linksys and can download OK!
Waldo
Grafter
Posts: 473
Registered: ‎01-08-2007

Re: Unable to download from FTP

Apparently some Belkin models have a default MTU of 1432 which can cause problems with FTP: setting it to 1500 generally solves it.
Worth checking if this is the case with your model (if you still have it).
julesandsand
Grafter
Posts: 176
Registered: ‎18-02-2009

Re: Unable to download from FTP

Waldo - you're a genius, changed the MTU to 1500 and bingo can download perfectly well.
Thanks very much indeed and have a happy Christmas.