FTP servers and SyncBack

[mickyj]

This post is for historical reference only. SyncBackFree is the replacement for SyncBack V3 freeware. SyncBackFree has a more advanced FTP engine and so supports a wider range of FTP servers.

Although SyncBack is designed to support all FTP servers, unfortunately not all FTP servers are the same nor are they all bug free. Below is a list of servers that SyncBack has been tested with and is either known to work with or not. Note that the version number is important because in some situations other versions may not work.

Note that 2BrightSparks has no relationship with any of the products, or their companies, listed below. This list is based purely on results of testing with SyncBack.

Highly Recommended

Raiden FTPD: Supports everything required. Note that this is not freeware.

Titan FTP Server: Supports everything required. Note that this is not freeware.

Serv-U 5.0 (Build 5.0.0.9): Supports everything required.

Recommended

Fastream NETFile FTP/Web Server 6.7: FTP caching must be turned off otherwise performance suffers (it takes around 10 seconds to transfer each file once several thousand files have been transferred).

FileZilla 0.9.0 Server: Works, but when trying to retrieve locked files there is a read-timeout delay of 15 seconds per locked file. Note that the newer version (0.9.1b) does not work. Also, setting file date & time using MDTM is not supported.

Bullet Proof FTP 2.21

WinFTP Server 1.0.2: Works, but when trying to retrieve locked files there is a read-timeout delay of 15 seconds per locked file.

SurgeFTP Version 22K6: Hidden files not listed using default FTP server settings.

Michael Roth The Personal FTP Server 4.46: Hidden files not listed using default FTP server settings.

Quick ?n Easy FTP Server 2.14: Hidden files not listed using default FTP server settings. Also, edit the profile so that 'File time is not GMT/UTC' is enabled. It does support setting file date & time using MDTM.

Not Recommended

Cerberus 2.16Cerberus V2.21 and earlier do not change the file date & time, even though it says it has. This will cause serious problems with SyncBack, i.e. it will think every file has changed.

FileZilla 0.9.1b Server: Does not work correctly, perhaps because it is a BETA version. The last stable version (at time of writing) was 0.9.0 and it does work.

Ipswitch WS_FTP Server 5.00: Every few files retrieved it reports "invalid command during xfer" errors when retrieving files. This causes SyncBack to disconnect and reconnect.

Unknown

WFTPD Server 3.21 R3: Cannot fully test as trial version is limited. Hidden files are not listed using default FTP server settings.

[wielhelm]

Is it possible to test guildftp? i really like this simple ftp server

I think it works ok


you can find it here


http://www.guildftpd.com/index.php

[scritch]

It works fine with pure-ftpd running on SuSE Linux 9.0

Great application by the way.

Thanks,

Sam

[boehmi]

It works fine with pure-ftpd running on SuSE Linux 9.0

Great application by the way.

Thanks,

Sam

I'm running pureftp 1.0.18 and I'm having problems with the timestamp although this server supports the MDTM command.

ftp> modtime test.c
> test.c 10/18/2004 10:45:39 GMT

So syncback changes always the timestamp of the sorce file. It also copies some (not all) files although they have the same timestamp.

Any ideas what could be the problem?

bye
boehmi

[mickyj]

There are two versions of MDTM: one to get the time (which you've demonstrated and is supported by most servers), and another to set the time (which is not supported by some servers, especially older ones). You need to check to make 100% absolutely certainly sure your server supports both types of MDTM.

Also, some servers are configured not to allow users to set the times of files. Again, check if yours if configured to allow it.

Also, also, you can download the test version of SyncBack (see the forum post on where to download SyncBack) and look at the debug log (after running your profile, right click on the profile and select from the pop-up menu) to see exactly what your FTP said when asked to change the time of a file (search for MDTM, remember there is one to get and one to set - the one to set passes a large number along with the filename). If the error from the server is something like 'File not found' then your server does not support setting file times using MDTM (it says file not found, or similar, because it's assuming the date & time given is a filename).

HTH

[Guest]

Ok, now I tried the test version and got the following log
------------
...
19/01/2005 16:17:58:TFTPWrapper:SetRemoteFileTime [readme.txt]
19/01/2005 16:17:58:Indy:Sent : MDTM 20050119160411 readme.txt<EOL>
19/01/2005 16:17:58:Indy:Recv : 550 Can't check for file existence<EOL>
19/01/2005 16:17:58:Locations:TFTPLocation.GetModDateTime [\readme.txt]
19/01/2005 16:17:58:TFTPWrapper:GetConnected
19/01/2005 16:17:58:TFTPWrapper:GetRemoteFileTime [\backup\readme.txt]
19/01/2005 16:17:58:Indy:Sent : MDTM /backup/readme.txt<EOL>
19/01/2005 16:17:58:Indy:Recv : 213 20050119161757<EOL>
19/01/2005 16:17:58:Locations:TNormalLocation.SetModDateTime [\readme.txt]
...
----

The only error message I got is the "550 Can't check for file existence" Is this the error message you meant?
It must be, because now I tried TitanFTP under Windows and it returns a "200 Command OK" and everything works.

Who wrote, that Syncback works with PureFTP? Maybe he will write, how.

bye
boehmi

[mickyj]

Hi, this shows that MDTM is not fully implemented on PureFTP, i.e. it can get but not set file times. Thanks.

[Dirk]

Greetings!

First off: Great Program! I have been using it since very early times. Plan on going to SE version VERY VERY soon.

Just recently I upgraded my Freewre verison to the latest (3.2.7.0) and when I choose to do an FTP Connection test - it times out (Which was correct because I was using a test FTP server that WAS at that time, Down) - but when it comes back with the dialog box that it cannot make a connection - it freezes SyncBack and I have to force the process out of memory. Is this just my local machine having this issue or can anyone else replicate this?

Thanks,
Dirk

[mickyj]

when I choose to do an FTP Connection test - it times out (Which was correct because I was using a test FTP server that WAS at that time, Down) - but when it comes back with the dialog box that it cannot make a connection - it freezes SyncBack and I have to force the process out of memory.

Hi Dirk, it shouldn't freeze. Did you change the timeout value or retry attempts to a higher value? It's possible that maybe a firewall is causing a problem?

[Fndngmyslf2]

This is sort of embarassing, but, are the list of FTP servers at the top meant for using your computer as a server, or for online FTP access? And, can anyone suggest a good online FTP account that has a free option available? And, even more embarassment, is SyncBack even able to backup to an online storage server? Because if it isn't, then I'm very embarrased and you will never see me under this screename ever again. I think that that's it. Because if it isn't, then the embarassment would be too much to bear, wouldn't it? Oh, yeah, and SyncBack is a very good program and I enjoy using it. Thank you.

[mickyj]

Hi, the FTP server could run on your PC or on any PC for online access. SyncBack can backup online via FTP.

[uritsukidoji]

So syncback changes always the timestamp of the sorce file. It also copies some (not all) files although they have the same timestamp.

I have the same problem, I'm syncing 1 local directory with 1 FTP and a network share. After synchronization with the FTP, all the local files have a new modified date, wich means the next time, all files on the network share are overwritten, also the files that were modified on the share

My FTP server is the standard IIS 6.0 FTP Publishing Service on Windows 2003.

Any ideas?

Still a great program...

[mickyj]

IIS does not support setting the date & time of files. Please see the help file.

[uritsukidoji]

Hi Mickey

IIS does not support setting the date & time of files. Please see the help file.

I thought so, but it really shouldn't modify my local files to match the date on the server, because this gets me in trouble at other places...

[uritsukidoji]

Hi,

I've replaced IIS FTP with FileZilla Server 0.97b, and so far works perfect. maybe it's an idea to add IIS to 'not recommended' and FileZilla Server 0.97b to 'recommended'