FTP issues HELP

[artworksmetal]

I have always had FTP timeout errors on my uploads, but they didn't affect the functionality of my site http://www.3866n7874w.net/ . It was just annoying to have to clear the blinking error light. Also, about twice a year, I would have to have my site reset by my webhost, it would be blocked.
It started happening more frequently, but I learned something new. My site was only blocked to my IP address. I put in a help ticket and this was the response (edited for brevity):
Note that, there are too many reasons for IP block. Basically, IP's are blocked if there are too many simultaneous connections to the server from one IP or there are Brute force (unauthorized) login attempts to your control panel or webmail.

Looking at my ftp log, I see a couple of things. First is the error:
02:42:10:250 Changing directory to /public_html
02:42:10:250 FTP Command: CWD /public_html
02:42:10:250 04E94050 TriggerDataSent 812
02:42:13:905 FTP Response: 550 Can't change directory to /public_html: No such file or directory
02:42:13:905 >|550 Can't change directory to /public_html: No such file or directory|

But the directory is there, and the files are being updated. So what's up with that?

More troubling is this:
02:41:50:921 FTP Response: 220-You are user number 12 of 30 allowed.
02:41:50:921 >|220-You are user number 12 of 30 allowed.|


The Host provider tells me that they only allow 8 users per IP. But there is only one user. And when I got to cpanel, there are never any active ftp connections hanging out there.
Even as I type this, I'm getting FTP Connect Error, Error code = 426, and the data is not uploading.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[steve]

It was just annoying to have to clear the blinking error light

You can turn off the logging of FTP errors - on the display settings screen

Looking at my ftp log, I see a couple of things. First is the error:
02:42:10:250 Changing directory to /public_html
02:42:10:250 FTP Command: CWD /public_html
02:42:10:250 04E94050 TriggerDataSent 812
02:42:13:905 FTP Response: 550 Can't change directory to /public_html: No such file or directory
02:42:13:905 >|550 Can't change directory to /public_html: No such file or directory|

But the directory is there, and the files are being updated. So what's up with that?

Presumably your ftp account is set up so that you are already in the public_html folder when you log in. So you need to leave the directory setting in Cumulus empty.

More troubling is this:
02:41:50:921 FTP Response: 220-You are user number 12 of 30 allowed.
02:41:50:921 >|220-You are user number 12 of 30 allowed.|


The Host provider tells me that they only allow 8 users per IP. But there is only one user. And when I got to cpanel, there are never any active ftp connections hanging out there.

Presumably it's a shared server? So those counts may include other users on the same server.

Even as I type this, I'm getting FTP Connect Error, Error code = 426, and the data is not uploading.

That's a 'connect timeout' error, i.e. there is no reponse from the server. It's not possible for me to say why you are getting that error, sorry.

If the server thinks that you have too many connections open, then perhaps connections are failing and the server isn't closing them down correctly. If you're using realtime ftp, one thing you could try would be to periodically disconnect; perhaps there are problems with the realtime ftp connection (which is normally left connected permanently). See the RTdisconnectcount setting in cumulus.ini. But you say that cpanel says there aren't any connections, so that's unlikely to help; it's still worth trying, though.

And while it looks like the problem is at the server end, it's probably also worth trying rebooting your PC when the problems start; it might be that Windows has got into a confused state for some reason due to failed connections. And of course, you should install a later version of Cumulus than the one you're using, which is nearly two years old, and two releases out of date.

It looks like your web space is provided by a company called 'Hostbig'? I know that you can't always rely on reviews on the internet, but they seem to have quite a poor reputation, from a quick Google.

[artworksmetal]

You can turn off the logging of FTP errors - on the display settings screen

Thanks. Good to know. I think I need to know that they're happening, for now.

Presumably your ftp account is set up so that you are already in the public_html folder when you log in. So you need to leave the directory setting in Cumulus empty.

Great! That seemed to work.

Presumably it's a shared server? So those counts may include other users on the same server.

No, it's just users from my IP. Which there should be only one user.

If the server thinks that you have too many connections open, then perhaps connections are failing and the server isn't closing them down correctly.

I'm convinced that's the problem I need to fix.

If you're using realtime ftp, one thing you could try would be to periodically disconnect; perhaps there are problems with the realtime ftp connection (which is normally left connected permanently).

I see that I was uploading the realtime file, but I didn't have realtime 'enabled'. All these problems kept me leary about updating that frequently. Plus, I don't use the website that religiously.
Can I set the MaxFTPconnectRetries to 0? I think that might make the server unhappy.
Are there anyways to force disconnect automatically?

And while it looks like the problem is at the server end, it's probably also worth trying rebooting your PC when the problems start; it might be that Windows has got into a confused state for some reason due to failed connections.

Windows confused? Surely you jest.
I just went to download the latest version and was stymied - Windows decided out of the blue that it didn't like the static address that I'd been using on this PC for the last 18 months. Anyway, I have a task set up to reboot every 24 hours, but I had turned it off. We'll see if that helps.

And of course, you should install a later version of Cumulus than the one you're using, which is nearly two years old, and two releases out of date.

Just goes to show you how much I let this go on autopilot. This PC only runs Cumulus and Mediamonkey, no other function. Set and forget.

It looks like your web space is provided by a company called 'Hostbig'? I know that you can't always rely on reviews on the internet, but they seem to have quite a poor reputation, from a quick Google.

Umm,err, no argument there. The price is right, though.

Thanks Steve for your time.

[steve]

Can I set the MaxFTPconnectRetries to 0?

Yes, then it will only try to connect once each time.

Are there anyways to force disconnect automatically?

To force the realtime ftp connection to disconnect? Yes, use the RTdisconnectcount setting that I mentioned.