FTP Test Help!!!!! 911

>Can someone tell me the diffrence between Passive Server Mode And
>Active Server Mode.

Here is a page that explains the difference:

slacksite.com/other/ftp.html

There's also another good writeup here:

ncftpd.com/ncftpd/d...p_and_firewalls.html

>MaxExchange Remote works fine when the end Remote user is on my
>LAN but [not] when He's VPN into my Network

Comments:

1. Of the two FTP modes, Passive is the safer choice. If the remote is behind a NAT device (e.g., a cable/DSL router) then Passive is required.

2. If the remote is initially configured as Active (the default) and you want to switch to Passive, you have to make the change at the server end (Site Manager), process packets and then get that packet to the remote so it is aware of the change. This can be a Catch-22 if the remote is failing because of Active FTP. You may have to put that remote back on the LAN, change the setting to Passive, synchronize, and then connect the remote via VPN to test the change.

3. There have also been reports of some VPN implementations blocking the TIME command, which can cause problems when the remote site is configured to "Synchronize clock with server".

I've spent the weekend troubleshooting this problem with my provider Broadwing Communication. All ports are open to the exchange box. The VPN Connectivity is open to the MaxExchange Box. We are scratching our heads. THen I change the Default port from 21 to 20 and walaa...everything works!!!! but no one can explain why port 21 only works on the LAN but not through VPN.

What ever........

EMAN