Hello everyone,
I am in dispute with a hoster on the subject what does "anonymous ftp" mean. I think there is many professional gurus and your opinion would be appreciated.
The trouble is, our software uses anonymous ftp to update (downloads some signature files from our website).
I signed for a plan with anonymous ftp (the sales support specifically stated- "yes, all our accounts have anonymous ftp access". ) I did not ask whether it was a dedicated IP or shared IP, neither it was stated anywhere on the website.
I have transferred the domain, but now turnes out that the only way anonymous user can log in is to use anonymous@domain.com (bacause turned out I am on a shared IP, although none told me earlier). But we have sold thousands of copies of our software (using simply "user" as login) and it is impossible to change it. So turns out that thanks to a hoster our software can not update and hoster claims IT IS anonymous ftp.
This is the first time I see such thing is called anonymous ftp, it also does not comply with "anonymous ftp" definition here http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/anonymous_FTP.html (ANY user can login, without specifically stating with which username).
Now hoster refuses to put us on a dedicated IP, although I offered a compensation.

Please state you opinions, who is right, who is wrong.
thank you,
Maxim

The only way for Anonymous FTP is having a dedicated IP and on a shared IP it is not possible.

Your only way is to have them upgrade your account to a static IP based account.

I understand this. But the question is - has hoster misrepresented statement about anonymous ftp? I would never moved in knowing it is the "anonymous ftp" in their understanding.
Another thing they refuse to put me on a dedicated IP for a compensation.

Since Anonymous FTP is only through a dedicated IP and you do not have one that is called FALSE ADVERTISING !

And not providing you with an IP is probably that they do not have one; they might be a reseller with restrictions or many other reasons which I believe does not solve the issue.

I think that this definition of anonymous ftp fall in contradiction


ANY user can login, without specifically stating with which username

Because you always have to login with the username at least "anonymous", so, anonymous@domain.com I think that's ok too.

Originally posted by Sina
Since Anonymous FTP is only through a dedicated IP and you do not have one that is called FALSE ADVERTISING !

And not providing you with an IP is probably that they do not have one; they might be a reseller with restrictions or many other reasons which I believe does not solve the issue.

Following the same statement of my previus post, I don't consider that false advertising.

Also, I TOTALLY disagree that because somebody doesn't want to provide a dedicated IP for something that can be made adding just @domain.com is because is a reseller.

I think that give away dedicated IP only to no add @domain.com in the login is a waste of Internet resources.

It is not a waste of internet resources, as I explained- I have supported my claim for IP. It is not just a small detail, but a great function limitation for our software. Our software can not work without full anon ftp-I guess this is satisfactory justification.

Maxxim,
can't you just ask your host to move your site to a dedicated IP?

This should be a no brainer...

http://virtual.flying-hosts.com/

Detailed Information
- Support for Dedicated IP address.
- SMTP Server.
- Disable/Enable Anonymous FTP Access.
- Unlimited 24/7 FTP Access.

Optional Extras:
- More monthly transfer.
- Dedicated IP Address

Well your host says that dedicated IP is opt extra, but i dont know if you have cleared that out during signup process, try asking them why you are not able to enable anonymus FTP ( it's stated as a part of your contract) so they'll perhaps give you your IP, or simply leave :)

Ok,
finally they sent me to sales department, head of technical department also wrote me they will get it working later today, so seems like finally I will get what was promised.
Pity that I had to spent hours filling their technical support form ten times for such a simple thing.
I will be more accurate with such things next time when moving to new host.

thanks everyone!

Cheers,
Maxim