Fetch Softworks

Can't Fetch two ways, Firewall problem? (4 posts)

• Started 18 years ago by jsunem
• Latest reply 18 years ago from Jim Matthews

• jsunem Member

  My friend and I use Fetch, we both have Macs with OS 10.3.7. I can only get into his system when his firewall is down (yes, all filesharing prefs are clicked and enabled in system prefs). He, on the other hand can never get into my system no matter what tinkering we do with my prefs.

  So the two questions are:

  1. Why can I get into his only when the Firewall is down, isn't it possible to get in with the username and password when the wall is up?

  2. Why can't he get into my system at any time?

  Posted 18 years ago #

• Jim Matthews Administrator

  The problem with firewalls and FTP is that they block the data connection (which is used for transfering files and file lists). So in general you can't use FTP with a firewall on both sides of the connection, and if you have a firewall on one side of the connection you have to be sure to use the right mode (passive or active, controlled by the "Use passive mode transfers (PASV)" checkbox in the Firewall section of Fetch Preferences.

  As for why he can't get into your system: could you post the contents of the Fetch Transcript window after he tries to connect? Also it would help to know more about how your Mac and his are connected to the Internet (e.g. are either of them behind a router or wireless access point?).

  Thanks,

  Jim Matthews
  Fetch Softworks

  Posted 18 years ago #

• jsunem Member

  Thanks Jim.

  Yes, PASV is enabled. I guess I had the notion that with a password one could get permission to pass through the firewall via special ports (20, 21?).

  I also posted this in an Apple forum and one user suggested that Apple's OS X has always had an issue with the firewall and FTP and that one must use "SFTP Protocol" instead, which Fetch does not yet support.

  Does that sound right?

  Thanks,

  Jason

  Posted 18 years ago #

• Jim Matthews Administrator

  SFTP does simplify the firewall issue, since you only need one open port, and only in one direction. Fetch will support SFTP soon.

  Unfortunately there's no standard for providing a password to get past a firewall.

  Thanks,

  Jim Matthews
  Fetch Softworks

  Posted 18 years ago #