Q. about FTP scanning

[mike_fba]

I am looking for a simple way to test if the FTP service is running at a given host IP. I can find a million pub probes, but nothing that does simply this.

I mod at another board. I am convinced that one of my users FTP sites is down, though he swears it is up. I need to be sure before I kill his thread.

[qwerty]

Use AATOOLS to scan his ip address. AATOOLS will show you which port and even what ftp server software he is using.

[mike_fba]

The site is stealthed, and if I probe to this extent all the alarms will go off. I don't want to be peceived as trying to hack a site. I like this person, and don't want to bust the door down, I just need to know if FTP is running on the server in a very subtle way, without port scanning. ;)

AATOOLS offers a great suite of functions. I never used it before, so thanks for the info!

[MxxCon]

what's wrong w/ just trying to connect to ftp?!

[mike_fba]

Failing to connect to a FTP does not tell you much about the problem, Mx.

The host IP works and a site is up, but it appears that the FTP is down. If a login fails, it can be a misconfiguration on my part, active/passive mistakes, or an FTP can be up but have number of connections set to zero. It could be anything,and too time-consuming. However, if I can quickly detect that an FTP service is down, and someone else can verify this, it is fast and appears much more objective.

I appreciate your input, but I really need helpful advice or a product suggestion.

Thanks!

[MxxCon]

all those things you mentioned doesn't matter.
if ftp server is up no matter what configuration problems are you'll still be able to connect. you might not be able to login, but you'll connect.

[ND-]

Sounds like illegal hacked pubs to me.

[mike_fba]

Sounds like illegal hacked pubs to me.
Yes, I confess! Thank you, "Mr. Hacker". I never heard of Grimsping or any one of the free 10,000 tools already out there designed just to "hack" pubs.

all those things you mentioned doesn't matter.
if ftp server is up no matter what configuration problems are you'll still be able to connect. you might not be able to login, but you'll connect.
Now I see what you mean. No matter how bad it's misconfigured you will see some sort of error. I was trying to light a candle with a blowtorch. Thanks. ;)

[ND-]

I said it sounded like illegal pub hacking, if it isn't feel free to correct me instead of some snotty reply.
It is very common for things to sound a lot worse than they are, specially on forums etc.