I am trying to set up FTP access from a camera and having trouble!
I was able to do it once successfully but lost my connection settings and now when I reenter them, I cannont connect to my NAS remotely via FTP.
What are the correct FTP settings to use from my camera client ?
I’ve tried the IP address by itself, but not sure if I need to include
http://
ftp.
Anyone else know which settings / formats are needed to access the FTP server?
Yes I have enabled the settings / ports / port forwarding ( I think, but will reboot / recheck ) if no-one can help here… TY in advance
Update - I have now isolated the problem, I think.
If I am connected to my LAN locally (via Wifi on camera), it does work so I hve the local settings correct now.
What IP address / setting do I need if I am connecting remotely via a different Wifi Network (my Hotspot, for example)??
Does anyone have ANY advice/info on this topic? Am I the only photographer who has thought to enable FTP sharing of camera images directly to a private NAS? I am new to NAS workflows, but with WIll’s help, figured out how to enable my NAS as an immediate backup of my camera files DURING import to Lightroom using a synch’d folder, but I was hoping to be able to FTP the files back to my NAS synch’d folder AS I SHOOT THEM, so when I get back to my laptop workstation, I won’t have to take the card out of the camera, and can have only the images I chose / sent to my server, already in the folder ready to import/process. I just need a little help in figuring out the FTP setup when the camera client is not able to connect directly to the home/NAS network - again, ANY thoughts would be appreciated!
It seems that the issue you have relates to the combination of FTP and remote access. In other words, it works when the camera is connected to the same LAN as the NAS, but it does not work externally via the internet.
Can you tell me whether you have any configuration made in your router for this?
TY for responding. It does connect if I am on the same home wireless network, but not remotely.
Up to recently, I didn’t really understand home networking / port forwarding, etc., but with Will’s help I have a better handle now, but still a little confused when it comes to IP (external/gateway) addresses that actually define the location of my NAS FTP host.
My setup = ISP > Orbi 960 router > DS 15221+ NAS through LAN 1 (1 GB). I enabled FTP/FTPS/SFTP via DSM File Services, and under Router configuration I also enabled FTP file server, opening up ports 21, 5536-55899 (Default recommendations).
When I log into my router, it shows a unique external IP address and a gateway address that differs from what is displayed under Network Interface (DHCP) through the connected LAN. I assume that is normal internet protocol?
Up to now, I have only tried the IP address displayed under the DSM network interface, should I be using the External IP address to initiate the FTP transfer and let the router forward the traffic to the NAS, or is there a different way to identify the NAS from a camera client, which has to be linked to an internet source (my hotspot) which then has to contact my ISP > Router > NAS?
Appreciate you explaining / helping me identify this bothersome issue.
I went ahead and entered my external IP address (after enabling the FTP default port port forwarding rules and lo and behold it worked!
Now my question will be with respect to security… with an open port with port forwarding rules limited to FTP server, does this make me vulnerable? Is limiting access to users/passwords necessary or is an anonymous user permission adequate b/c the port is limited to the FTP protocol? For now I will deactivate the anonymous access but would be curious if this is indeed necessary.
Opinions about security vary widely. My take is that any kind of external access introduces a potential risk, and you need to take measures to mitigate it. For example, if your NAS gets compromised, you can fully recover it from a backup.
There are several best practices you should implement before giving external access. Will made several great videos that you can use.
That said, FTP access is, by definition, insecure, mainly if you do not use encrypted versions like SFTP or FTPS. Plain FTP, without the S, should be avoided. The question is whether your camera supports encrypted options.
Fortunately it does and I have enabled that on my cameras and will be trying today to see if I can still use SFTP after I disable plain FTP and close off port 21 ‘fingers crossed’.
My main question is whether allowing Port 22 traffic incoming is ‘protected’ by the fact the NAS only allows port 22 the FTP server functions and not DSM / admin access. The users I created solely for the camera use are not administrative and only R/W with FTP Server priviledges., and are random 12 digit PW protected to boot!
I appreciate the reply / support, but Will’s video on port forwarding explained the external IP address issue enough to prompt me to use that -and I also employed the rest of his security recommendations so I feel better about it today.
My only complaint now is how slow my 5G hotspot is c/w my home 10GBe network
I am aware that SFTP uses port 22 by default, but you should use a custom port. Port 22 is the maintenance port, and all hacking attempts on the web search for that port.
Never forward port 22 from the outside world to your NAS or any other device on your network.