ShareIt FTP for Microsoft Pocket PC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General Questions

  1. Why would I run an FTP server on a Pocket PC?
  2. Do you license the ShareIt FTP source code?
  3. Does ShareIt FTP work with XYZ company's FTP client?
  4. What functionality is included in the trial version of ShareIt FTP?
  5. What is the difference between ShareIt FTP Lite and ShareIt FTP Pro?
  6. Can I upgrade to ShareIt FTP Pro?
  7. Does ShareIt FTP run in the background?

Setup

  1. Can I use a network share or storage card as my "root" folder?

Security

  1. How strong is the SSL/TLS encryption in ShareIt FTP Pro?
  2. Where can I get a certificate for ShareIt FTP Pro?

Firewall

  1. Which ports does ShareIt FTP use?
  2. How does ShareIt FTP work with NAT and port forwarding?
  3. When I try to connect to ShareIt FTP from outside my firewall I cannot see any files or folders?

Protocol

  1. What is the difference between active and passive FTP connections?

File Transfer

  1. Why does my text file contain extra/missing spaces?
  2. Why does Microsoft Internet Explorer display an error when I try to connect to ShareIt FTP?
  3. Why can't I upload files to ShareIt FTP?
  4. Does ShareIt FTP convert LF to CRLF in ASCII mode?

Error Messages

  1. Why do I get a "500 User not allowed" error when I connect to ShareIt FTP?

Why would I run an FTP server on a Pocket PC?

You get an incredibly powerful platform when you combine a mobile device and "push" Internet technology. ShareIt FTP can be used in many applications:

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Do you license the ShareIt FTP source code?

No. We consider this a security violation. If you have concerns about the long-term support of ShareIt FTP or NSC, please contact sales@nsctech.com to discuss potential options.

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Does ShareIt FTP work with XYZ company's FTP client?

Yes. Both versions of ShareIt FTP are compatible with all plain-text FTP clients and Internet browsers. The Pro version will work with SSL/TLS enabled FTP clients.

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What functionality is included in the trial version of ShareIt FTP?

The trial version of ShareIt FTP supports all features. The software will operate for 14 days and displays a "trial" banner to users.

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What is the difference between ShareIt FTP Lite and ShareIt FTP Pro?

ShareIt FTP Pro includes certificate creation tools and support for Secure Sockets Layer (SSL v2 and v3) and Transport Layer Security (TLS v1) protocols. These features are vital to organizations that need to protect login and file information. The Lite version (which targets SOHO users) does not include these security features.

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Can I upgrade to ShareIt FTP Pro?

Yes, you can buy an upgrade copy of ShareIt FTP Pro (available through NSC's online store) if:

Users who have current maintenance contracts with NSC should contact sales@nsctech.com for a free upgrade.

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Does ShareIt FTP run in the background?

Yes. When ShareIt FTP starts, it will minimize and run transparently. You can access the application through the taskbar (look for the "server" icon at the bottom of the "Today" screen).

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Can I use a network share or storage card as my "root" folder?

Yes. Many users make the default folder '\' so they can access any location on the device.

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How strong is the SSL/TLS encryption in ShareIt FTP Pro?

TLS uses the same cryptographic methods as SSL (40 and 128 bits) but supports stronger algorithms (168-bit 3DES).

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Where can I get a certificate for ShareIt FTP Pro?

You buy a certificate from a Certificate Authority (or CA) like Verisign or generate a "self-signed" certificate using the built-in tools. See the ShareIt FTP User Guide for more information.

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Which ports does ShareIt FTP use?

ShareIt FTP uses the following ports:

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How does ShareIt FTP work with NAT and port forwarding?

Most network environments employ a firewall or router to map between internal and external IP addresses. Some of these devices will parse FTP commands and replace IP addresses so that the FTP client and server can operate without knowledge of the mapping.

To resolve the addressing problem, ShareIt FTP lets you specify an external IP address for FTP commands. For more information, see the 'Fix IP Address' options in the Advanced system settings (Tools > Settings... > Network >).

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When I try to connect to ShareIt FTP from outside my firewall I cannot see any files or folders?

The firewall is blocking incoming data connections; preventing the FTP client from receiving file and folder information. You will need to open the data connection ports or change your connection policy. Click here for more information.

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What is the difference between active and passive FTP connections?

Both the FTP client and server processes should be capable of active and passive connections. When a process is in passive mode, it will "listen" (accept incoming connections) on a data port. The active process will then "connect" (outgoing) to that port and the transfer will start. The FTP request command determines the direction of the connection. For example, PASV requires the client to connect to the server and the PORT command involves the server connecting to the client.

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Why does my text file contain extra/missing spaces?

All operating systems do not store text files in the same manner. For example, UNIX represents the end of a line with a single linefeed (LF). The Windows standard is carriage return linefeed (CRLF). At some point, the file has been transferred incorrectly (as BINARY, or a mix of BINARY and ASCII) and your application is unable to view the text file correctly.

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Why does Microsoft Internet Explorer display an error when I try to connect to ShareIt FTP?

Check the following:

  1. Your network connection is working properly.
  2. Ensure your firewall allows FTP traffic; and your FTP proxy is operating (if applicable).
NOTE: Ask your network administrator if you have questions about 2.

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Why can't I upload files to ShareIt FTP?

This is most likely a configuration problem. Check the following:

  1. Check the Write/Overwrite permissions are enabled (Tools > Settings > Users).
  2. Check the folder or device has write capabilities.
  3. Ensure there is enough storage space in the destination folder.

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Does ShareIt FTP convert LF to CRLF in ASCII mode?

Yes, ShareIt FTP will always perform the linefeed mapping (LF -> CRLF) and report the correct number of bytes. The software also supports the restart (REST) command in this mode.

NOTE: Most FTP servers do not support this functionality because of the extra processing involved or their design is open to DoS attacks.

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Why do I get a "500 User not allowed" error when I connect to ShareIt FTP?

Check the following:

  1. You have entered the correct username and password in your FTP client.
  2. ShareIt FTP is configured to allow 'anonymous' FTP users (Tools > Settings > Users).

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Revised: 08/27/04.