How to use WinSCP as a really dumb command-line FTP client

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Patrick O'Keefe
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How to use WinSCP as a really dumb command-line FTP client

I apologize if this is a duplicate post. I think my first attempt at posting went into the bit bucket.

I'm trying to diagnose a problem between a backup product and an FTP server. I want to duplicate the command flow so need absolute control over the commands sent by the client. I thought I could use WinSCP.com, but so far it is too smart. It logs me onto the server before I'm ready and (I think) will not switch between active and passive mode on command.

What I want to do is:
Open an FTP connection to the server.
Issue the FEAT command and look at the response.
Issue the USER command.
Issue the PASS command.
Issue some PWD and MKD commands
Issue the PASV command

Then I want to break the connection and try again with the PASV entered earlier.

In other words, I don't want the client to send anything unless and until I tell it. It can translate UI commands to FTP commands - I don't care if I give the UI "PASV" or "Passive" so long as I control when it sends PASV.

Is it possible to dumb-down WinSCP to this level or do I need to find another client? (The built-in Windows FTP client doesn't support passive mode. It's a bit too dumb.

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martin
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Re: How to use WinSCP as a really dumb command-line FTP client

No, WinSCP cannot do that.

You are actually not looking for an FTP client.
All you need is to open TCP connection to the FTP server and feed the commands yourself.

Thought, if it helps, there's an FTP client that mimics the Windows ftp.exe, but supports the passive mode:
<invalid hyperlink removed by admin>

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Patrick O'Keefe
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Re: How to use WinSCP as a really dumb command-line FTP client

martin wrote:

No, WinSCP cannot do that.

I was afraid of that.

martin wrote:


You are actually not looking for an FTP client.
All you need is to open TCP connection to the FTP server and feed the commands yourself.
Well, not quite. If I could remember how to handle the data connection in both active and passive modes, remember which display commands use the data connection, want to handle the retrieval and storage of data for data transfers (if I get that far in this test), then yes, I could do it all myself. But I know my capabilities. I need an FTP client - a dumb one, but a client non the less.

martin wrote:


Thought, if it helps, there's an FTP client that mimics the Windows ftp.exe, but supports the passive mode:
<invalid hyperlink removed by admin>

Thanks. I'll look into that.

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