Server not accepting files larger than 8K in size via FTP and RCP

[Ken Lindner]

I have a HPUX B.11.00 based server that until about 6 weeks ago was allowing unrestricted FTP in both directions of any file size with issue.

About 6 weeks ago the server stopped accepting files af any size greater than 8K. There have been no changes to the configuration of the machine or OS that I am aware of.

When using FTP the problem appears as an error
"exiting on signal 14" being logged in the syslog.log file on the server and a "sendfile: Connection timed out" error appearing on the client after a period of about 5 minutes.

RCP returns with "rcp: lost connection", no error in syslog.log

When either method is used a 0 byte file of the name being transferred is created, on the process being cancelled (by error or manually) a file of 8K is present. If a file of less than 8K is transferredthe file transferred without error.

I have tried FTPing a file locally and the size does not matter, this works.

I have tried FTP put from a client and FTP get from the server and neither work. I have tried rcp from both ends and this does not work. I have tried Windows and HPUX clients with no change.

I have even tried ensuring that the server and client where on the same hub to eliminate router/switch/gateway/firewall issues.

It almost appears as if the server is closing some kind pipe while the transfer is happening to the point where either FTP or RCP time out and then fails.

Any ideas what I should check next?

[Steven E. Protter · Accepted solution]

I'd check to see if someone messed with a firewall to stop all those huge data transfers.

I know of know OS/ftpaccess wu-ftp setting that could cause this. Allowing for your statement that nobody messed with the box to be true, you must look outside.

ioscan -fnC btlan
dmesg
lanscan
lanadmin -x 0 (and for every other lan card, check duplex settings).

See if anything is wild.

SEP

[Ken Lindner]

Steven,

Thanks for the ideas.

The only thing that I can see amiss is the Inbound Errors = 687 after a 3 minute period from clearing the stats.

I have changed the network cable to the hub that the server is connectedto but have not been able to change the cable between the hub and the rest of the network. Only have 1 cross over cable the right length.

I will test from a machine connected to the hub again to confirm the firewall issue but last time I tried from a client connected to the same hub it did not work.

[Ken Lindner]

Additional to this problem.

I have now been able to test the situation where the client and server are on the same hub again. The problem still persists.

I then removed the hub from the picture and the problem has gone away. The problem lies in the hub.

Thank you for your help