Troubleshooting FTP Client Connections

Use this topic to troubleshoot problems making connections using the FTP Client.

Configuring Connections

Did you enter your server name, user name, and password correctly? If you are connecting to a case-sensitive server, be sure to use the correct case when making these entries.
Does your site use a passthrough server or SOCKS proxy server to ensure that only authorized users have access to server sites? If so, you should configure the client to connect via the firewall or SOCKS proxy server.
When opening a connection, the server name you provide is resolved via the HOSTS file or a domain name server. If you have no domain name server on the local network and don't use a HOSTS file, you must specify the full IP address of the host server. For example: 124.24.36.85
If the FTP server is not running on the remote system, you can't connect.
Server response time can be affected by the distance between sites. If you see the message "Connection timed out" when trying to connect to a server, increase the value of Timeouts in seconds on the Connection tab of the Site Properties dialog box.
If the FTP Client is unable to determine the server type, server directory listings may display incorrectly. You can use the Directory Definition Wizard to modify the directory format.
If you are having trouble making a Secure Shell connection, use the Secure Shell log to get troubleshooting information.

Connection Troubleshooting

Error message: "Could not resolve host address."

Several things can cause this message to appear:

The host name or IP address you entered for the server is invalid. Re-enter the host name; if you are connecting to a case-sensitive server, be sure to use the correct case.
The host name you provide is resolved via the HOSTS file or a domain name server. Is the computer that acts as the domain name server working? Has the HOSTS file on your PC been corrupted? If no domain name server or HOSTS file is available, you must specify the full IP address of the host server. For example: 124.24.36.85.
You have entered an IPv6 address, but have not enabled IPv6 support on your PC. Contact Microsoft for more information.
You must have an appropriately configured IP router (gateway) in order to connect to servers outside your own network. Check to see whether the computer serving as the router is up and running.

Error message: "Connection timed out."

Server response time can be affected by the distance between sites. If you see this message when trying to connect to a server, increase the Connect Timeout setting to give the server more time to respond during the login process.

Reflection FTP hangs when you try to connect

On some systems, turning off the use of animation (such as showing a waving flashlight while you are waiting for a directory listing) fixes display problems that cause Reflection to hang when you attempt a connection. To disable the use of animation, open the Tools menu, click Options, open the Preferences tab and enable Do not use animation.

Host cannot respond to the PWD command

By default, Reflection sends a PWD command when you connect to your server. Some servers don't support this command. Press F7 to open the command window before you try connecting to your server. If the server returns an error after Reflection sends the PWD command, try enabling this setting. To configure Reflection to connect without the PWD command, open the Directories tab of the Site Properties dialog box and select Don't send PWD Command.

Error Message: PASV is not implemented by the server

By default, the client connects using the PASV command. This causes the client to initiate a separate data connection for directory listings and file transfers, which is required for connections through some firewalls. If your server does not support the PASV command, you can disable the Use passive mode setting on the Connection tab of the Site Properties dialog box.