FTP Err Msg: Error: Connection Timed Out

 Last reviewed: November 10, 1997
Article ID: Q169268

The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Information Server version 3.0

SYMPTOMS

When you try to connect to a site via FTP, you may get the following error message after a few minutes if the Internet Information Server (IIS) is configured with more than one default gateway: 

   Error: Connection timed out
This may also happen only when you try to connect via FTP using a slow link (for example, a 28.8k modem connection) to a server that has more than one default gateway.

CAUSE

The IIS computer should have only one IP default gateway. The IP address of the default gateway should be configured on the external network adapter card only.

This requirement is a result of the basic architecture of TCP/IP. Only one default gateway must be defined on a host that resides on two or more non-connected networks.

If IIS server is configured with more than one network interface, it is connected to two networks that are by design non-connected.

A default gateway is a router that is supposed to be used for all traffic that has no specific route. If you have two default-gateways, the IIS server TCP/IP stack will assume that they lead to the same set of networks. This will cause the IIS server to send Internet traffic to the internal network, or internal traffic to the Internet.

WORKAROUND

Remove the default gateway from the advanced TCP/IP settings of the internal network interface on the IIS server and define static routes to the internal network segments.

For additional information, please see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q161380
   TITLE     : Only One Default Gateway Allowed On Proxy Server
Because no default gateway will be defined for the internal network, you must add static routes using the Route Add command. These routes can be made persistent by using the -p command switch.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information on adding static routes to the routing table, please see the following:

  • Type route /? for additional command switches.

For additional information, please see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q140859
   TITLE     : TCP/IP Routing Basics for Windows NT

Additional query words: proxy internet server timeout connect fail
winsock ftp iis
Keywords : iisftp kbusage kbprb
Version : winnt:3.0
Platform : winnt
Hardware : ALPHA x86
Issue type : kbprb
Solution Type : kbworkaround

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Last reviewed: November 10, 1997
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