Can't connect to FTP server: 425 Unable to build data connection: Connection timed out

Question

I have a Windows 7 installed on my laptop. I installed VirtualBox 4.1.4 with Ubuntu 11.10.

I'm trying to connect to my site via FTP but I got an error when I do ls:

~> ftp <my_site>
Connected to <my_site>.
220 DreamHost FTP Server
Name (<my_site>:misha): <my_username>
331 Password required for <my_username>
Password: <my_password>
230 User <my_username> logged in
Remote system type is UNIX.
Using binary mode to transfer files.
ftp> ls
200 PORT command successful
425 Unable to build data connection: Connection timed out
ftp> 

What could be the problem?

Solution

The connection is establishing but it is unable to set up the return data path.

This is likely because something in the path isn't supporting PORT mode ftp from the source (the perimeter router perhaps).

Try using ftp -p which will begin the client in passive (PASV) mode.

Comments

[gustavohenke]

I'm using newer versions of Ubuntu and Virtualbox, and the passive mode helped me as well, +1!

[Scott - Слава Україні]

As pointed out in a now-deleted answer by Damon Hill, “If you’re already connected to the ftp server and you forgot the -p argument, you can issue the command passive so as to enter this mode.”

[Paul]

@Scott This is helpful enough to warrant editing the accepted answer. It is encouraged in fact.

[Scott - Слава Україні]

Frankly, I thought it was useful enough that it should have been allowed to stand as a separate (supplementary) answer, but a moderator disagreed.   You’re ≥20K; you can see the deleted answer — can you undelete it?   Or can that only be done by a moderator at this point?  In any case, as long as you are aware of the issue, I’ll leave any further action (to include editing your answer) to you.