Can Someone Help with my VT2542 and FTP Server

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 01, 2007 Posts: 3

OK Heres my setup. I have TWC RoadRunner service. I'm using a SurfBoard SB3100 Cable Modem first inline, then my Motorola VT2542 ATA/Router/Wireless and I have two computer hooked up locally. I have locked the local IP of my computer running the Cerberus FTP Server Software to 192.168.15.2. Mt VT2542 Router is 192.168.15.1.

I cannot get the right configuration for my router to pass through connections to my FTP server. If I unplug and bypass my VT2542 Router (cable modem straight to computer) it works and I can access it so I know it's not my service or my software. In my router I have forwarded ports 21, and 1025-3500 to my local ip 192.168.15.2. But my VT2542 keeps losing it's configuration and reverting back to Factory settings. I know this cause every day or so the password user-name in the Router changes back to factory and the port forwarding vanishes. It doesn't EVER work even when it is supposedly forwarded.

I have read countless suggestions, tried them all and have just about come to the conclusion that (1) It can't be done with the Motorola VT2542, or (2) I have a faulty unit or (3) I don't know what the hell all this crap means.

Any help from someone who has got it to actually work would be appreciated. All I need it for is I have a work address and a living address that are 220 miles apart and sometimes need to access some files on the other location.

Thanx in advance.

Posts: 533 · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:05 pm Post subject:

Hmm, the only thing I can tell you is that if you only support active FTP, then tcp 21 is the only port you need to forward. If you allow passive FTP, then you'll need to forward tcp 21 and everything >1024. Either way, if all you are forwarding was tcp 21, you should at least get a username and password prompt. If you don't get that far, something else is wrong.

If you're losing the config though, it sounds like you have a faulty device.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 01, 2007 Posts: 3

Following is an excerpt from what I get when trying to login to the ftp server.

ftp> open test.myftp.org
Connected to test.myftp.org.
Connection closed by remote host.
ftp>

As I stated earlier I have opened up ports 1025-3500 which is what I read somewhere about pasv ftp ports, however my MT VT2542 doesnt seem to actually be opening ports, it keeps falling back to factory default for some reason. I save the settings and then go back and check, they will be there for a short period. Then the password reverts back to factory default, annd all settings are gone. I'm wondering if I have a faulty unit that only runs the factory settings which is bad cause the password is always reset to default.

Thanx in advance....

Posts: 879 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Nov 05, 2005 Posts: 879

There is a bug with the VT2542 where if you have to reboot the device, or if the device loses power it will revert back to factory default settings...meaning any and all settings, including security, you setup on the device will be removed. There is "suppose" to be a firmware update to be released sometime this month to correct this issue. If you are not rebooting the device and if the device is not temporarilly losing power, the settings you configured on the VT2542 should remain...If the settings are reverting back to default without a reboot or loss of power, I would say your device is faulty and you should request a new one.

I'd like to mention that I've successfully setup port forwarding (But not for FTP server) on the Motorola VT2542 with no issues. After you setup and save the Custom Port Forwarding rules for the FTP server, be sure to add "FTP Server" to the applied rules and save the setting. Here's a link that should help you with setting up the device: http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/Motorola/VT2442/FTP.htm

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 01, 2007 Posts: 3

Is there anyway you can hook me up on the firmware update. I know for a FACT that, that is why I am having problems with settings. After I setup port forwarding the OBVIOUS thing to do is RESTART so the new settings will take hold. Then after RESTART there are NO settings. I don't think this will help my port forwarding however at least then I can experiment till I get them right.

I have a couple of other messages on here that imply someone has a WORKING firmware, mine must have been one in stock for a while with an old version or something. There doesn't seem to be any links that I could find to download firmware versions for it. Any help pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated other than that maybe I could get Vonage to replace the unit with something that actually works like it was intended to. Have port forwarding and it reverting everytime you restart or power up is not good.

Thanx in advance... you've been very helpful in diagnoses now if I can just get the thing fixed...

Posts: 533 · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 9:49 am Post subject:

You can't download and update firmware yourself for a Vonage device. If you power it off for about 30 seconds and power up, you should automatically receive the latest firmware. If there is no version change, that means you're already at the latest.

The best you can do at that point is to call Vonage CS and see what they can do for you. If they don't have new firmware, then perhaps they can back you down to a version that doesn't have this bug.

Posts: 879 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Nov 05, 2005 Posts: 879

Vonage, and ONLY Vonage can push firmware updates to your device. All firmware updates are done automatically...Voange does NOT provide firmware links for users. My current version of firmware for the Motorola VT2542 is, "11.4.1-r070201-1.3.2 -r1." The software version you're currently running on your device will be located on the Home tab when you login to your device.

A "Restart" of the voice gateway or a "Restart" of the wireless is different than a "Reboot." A "Restart" should NOT cause the loss of any settings. A "Reboot" or loss of power will cause a loss of ALL settings. If you are rebooting or unpluging the power to the VT2542 after you configure your port forwarding settings, that is the reason you're having issues. If the settings are loss after a "Restart," I would ask for a new device.

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 04, 2007 Posts: 4

FTP requires 2 TCP connections to be functional. There is a control connection (usually on port 21) and a data connection (usually on port 20).

You will need a fairly sophisticated device to support passive FTP, unless you forward all ports > 1024 as another person suggested.

Read the RFC on the FTP protocol for more info.