VCRM unable to automatically update

[Robert Aleck]

Like many other people, I am getting the error below. I have the latest version of VCRM on a clean installation of Windows server 2003. I have no proxy server, all other aspects appear to be working correctly, however, when I try and set automatic updating, I get this error. I have tried adding ftp://ftp.hp.com/ to the trusted sites zone, and I am successfully able to browse the ftp site from that server. Any advice?

Error: unable to connect.
An extended error was returned from the server.550 /pub/softlib/software2/COL3293/catalog.xml: Not a directory

[Keith Rogers]

We are looking in to this problem. It works here (of course!), so we are checking for replication issues.

[Robert Aleck]

Thanks - I can provide you with access to the server, via RDP, if it would help!

[Keith Rogers]

The servers are all replicated Ok as of 10:30 CST, so if you are still seeing the error, then it's a different problem. What version of the VCRM is installed (hold the mouse over the version, e.g. 2.0, at the bottom of the VCRM home tab to see the full version)? If there's no proxy server, is there a firewall with FTP ports restricted? Any other network configuration information you can supply would be useful.

[Robert Aleck]

The version I see is "Version Control Repository Manager 2.1". There is a "stealth" firewall, however, it is configured to allow all traffic out and only acts to restrict incoming traffic. The server is on a public IP Address, 82.152.108.x, connected via a 512kb/1024kb ADSL line. Using SysInternal's TCPView, I can see that C:\hp\hpsmh\data\cgi-bin\vcrepository\cpqsrhmo.exe has an ESTABLISHED connection to hpat951.external.hp.com:21

I used NetMon to capture traffic to/from this server, and the capture shows the ftp login etc - I see the following:
IN 220 hpat951 FTP server (hp.com version whp02) ready
OUT USER anonymous
IN 331 Guest login ok, send your complete e-mail address as password
OUT PASS SYSTEM
IN 230-The response 'SYSTEM' is not valid
IN 230-Next time please use your email address as your password.
IN 230-for example: jo@82.152.108.55.230
IN 230 Guest login ok, access restrictions apply
OUT TYPE I
IN 200 Type set to I.
OUT PORT 82,152,108,55,211,195
IN PORT command successfull
OUT SIZE /pub/softlib/software2/COL3293/catalog.xml
IN 213 2684394
OUT RETR /pub/softlib/software2/COL3293/catalog.xml
some TCP control bits
then 76 seconds pass
IN 425 Can't build data connection: Connection timed
OUT CWD /pub/softlib/software2/COL3293/catalog.xml
IN 550 /pub/softlib/software2/COL3293/catalog.xml: No
more control bits
IN 221 You could at least say goodbye.
another 10 seconds pass, then it repeats

[Keith Rogers]

Looks like you need passive FTP, like the other poster. We are working on this.

[Robert Aleck]

I enabled "passive" FTP (incoming TCP port 21) to that server on the firewall, but the problem is still evident - the trace is pretty much identical.

[Keith Rogers]

The VCRM is using active FTP, so it's likely (data) port 20 being blocked. If you're using IE, is it configured to use passive FTP? If you change the setting and restart, does it have a problem browsing the FTPp site?

[Robert Aleck]

both ports 20 and 21 are open, however it still doesn't work. Changing IE settings makes no difference - I can still browse the FTP site using it.

[Rimvydas]

As Keith said VCRM tries to use active mode. Because of that you can't get updates. To be sure - install some ftp client on the same server and try to connect to some ftp server. BUT ENABLE FTP ACTIVE MODE ON THAT CLIENT AT FIRST. If you will be able to do that VCRM will work too:) You can try to connect to ftp from cmd too. Win built in ftp client uses ftp active mode by default. As for ftp active mode itself - on your firewall you must enable outgoing traffic from the server any port of ftp server's 21 port and incoming traffic from the ftp server's 20 port to you server any port. Some expensive firewalls understand ftp active mode and without these rules. But anyway - HP must make an ability for user to select passive ftp mode for VCRM downloads because not everyone can enable ftp active:(