ftp.... telnet..... stuff

[brian8765]

is it possible to access my home computer with telnet of ftp WITHOUT the use of server software??? I want to know the theory behind it and not just let a program do it for me..

thnx in advance

[tracknut]

No, by definition. If you read up on client-server applications, you'll see that a ftp or telnet client has to request telnet or ftp services. Those are two halves of the overall solution, that must be present to make the thing work. The server half resides on the computer that's providing the service (ie, serving up files in the case of ftp, serving up a telnet session in the case of telnet), and the client half provides the user interface to the user.

So telnet or ftp without the server half are useless.

Dave

[brian8765]

is it possible to set up a server without third party software... does windows xp home already have server software in it..

[tracknut]

is it possible to set up a server without third party software...
I'm probably misunderstanding the question - "third party" meaning software from someone other than something you wrote yourself, or that came with your OS? Many operating systems will come with FTP and Telnet server code, but if your next question is any indication, I suspect you don't have one of those.

does windows xp home already have server software in it..
Not to my knowledge, but I'm no expert on the matter...

Dave

[brian8765]

i dont see why you need this software tho... if u open a port to ur computer you should be able to access your computer through the service.. what does the software do.... or does it just provide a room at the end of a metaphorical hallway???

[svidgen]

The client sends a packets of data to the server. Located in these packets is the port number for which the packets are destined. Inside the payload of these packets is the instruction for the software that the client thinks is waiting for those packets. "Opening" a port simply prevents packets destined for port N to be silently ignored.

However, even if the port is opened, you still need software running on the server to examine the contents of the packets and DO something with them. In most (or all) cases the OS itself has no idea what the payload of the packets mean. It just knows what process has raised its hand and said, "I need all of the packets that come in on port N."

When packets arrive on open port N, the OS says, "Hey, I think I know who's looking for this." So, it hands the payload off to the anxiously waiting process. At this point, it's up to that process to understand what to do with the packet. And of course, if no process steps forward and says, "I need those packets!" ... they just get ignored.

So ... The FTP server is a necessary part of the chain. If you're running windows, you can install something like Filezilla Server.

[brian8765]

thnx..... itll b a big help knowing all this be4 college comes

[brian8765]

i downloaded CErebus ftp software and it made the account fine... but why do i have to go to an address that isnt my ip address to access my ftp??... the ip i have to go to is 127.x.x.1...

[svidgen]

i downloaded CErebus ftp software and it made the account fine... but why do i have to go to an address that isnt my ip address to access my ftp??... the ip i have to go to is 127.x.x.1...

Hmm ... I didn't get a notification for this message. Anywhoo ... 127.0.0.1 = localhost = "this computer."

Know what I mean?

[brian8765]

hmm... I c... I still couldnt get past my router tho.. Accessing it locally was fine but externally was problematic... I have forwarded port 21 to the machine (i think) bt cant get it to work

[svidgen]

hmm... I c... I still couldnt get past my router tho.. Accessing it locally was fine but externally was problematic... I have forwarded port 21 to the machine (i think) bt cant get it to work

Do you have port 21 open to external IPs on the machine itself?

[brian8765]

yes.. im using windows xp home

[svidgen]

yes.. im using windows xp home

Are you suggesting that Windows XP home has port 21 open by default? (it doesn't)

[brian8765]

no... i have the ftp port 21 box checked in the windows firewall exceptions tab and i can access my computer from local computer bt nt via external ip... Is it possible my computer wont accept external ip's?

[svidgen]

I think the next step is to test the connection from another computer on the network. Do you have another computer available to test with? If not, are you able to borrow a laptop from a nearby campus or friend?

[RaCo]

Yes you can with a remote connection software, you just need to know your output IP, and that's all. But you need to have your PC always on.