Could not contact server.

[Sie_Sayoka]

Hello,

I've recently been trying to installs mods onto my forums. I download the ZIP files and upload them into the packages folder through FTP. However, when I go to the package manager and click the "test connection" button, it only says this:

Could not contact server.

I've input all of the same information as the FTP and have used multiple paths to try and solve this problem. If anyone could provide some insight onto this it would be much appreciated.

[kat]

"test connection" button? Can't say I've ever seen that... (I could be going blind, though)

[Sir Osis of Liver]

IIRC, there's a 'test connection' button somewhere in Package Manager which is used if you're trying to set up an ftp connection, possibly for changing file permissions.  Not necessary if packages are installed the correct way.

[Arantor]

If it can't make a connection that generally means not so much the path might be wrong but the rest of the details.

[kat]

Hmmm... I really can't find that, on mine.

Probably something odd that I've done, somewhere...

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Can't find it either.  Think you have to do something first to get to the page that has the button.

[kat]

Never seen it, that I can remember. I even checked my v1 forum.

[Sie_Sayoka]

Error message and the test connection button.

When I put in the correct port it takes around a minute saying it's loading before saying that it could not contact the server. I'm not sure if that's relevant or not.

[Arantor]

So you put in the server and port... did you put in a username and password?

[Sie_Sayoka]

Yes. I just didn't show them there because of security.

[Arantor]

And I presume they were actually correct?

[Sie_Sayoka]

Yes.

[Arantor]

I'm sure you understand that we have to check these things.

So what path were you trying to use?

[Sie_Sayoka]

Of course, I appreciate all help.

Paths I've tried:

/forum
/www/forum
/var/www/forum

For the FTP server I've tried both localhost and the IP of the server. I've also tried different accounts. I still can't seem to connect. Would this somehow be a problem with CHMODs?

[Arantor]

It shouldn't be a chmod problem, and the paths seem all good. I presume FTP is actually configured on your server? (If you're running out of /var/www, that would seem a little unlikely, though)

[Sie_Sayoka]

Actually I am using SFTP. Totally forgot about that. Would that have anything to do with the error?

[Arantor]

That would. SMF does not support SFTP, nor is it likely to any time soon.

[Sie_Sayoka]

I see, thank you. I'll set up FTP and see if it works.

[Arantor]

I couldn't recommend it. There's nothing SMF does over FTP that you couldn't do yourself. All SMF is doing is making everything writable so it can write. Most people don't even put it back afterwards, leaving them at risk.

I'd generally suggest making the files writable yourself via SFTP, installing mods, and then making the files read-only again yourself because then you know it's done.

[Sie_Sayoka]

Okay. I'll install them manually then. Thank you.

[kat]

Beautifully worked through, gents!

[Kindred]

I do not recommend that either...

Set the chmod permissions to make the files writeable using your own sftp conenction.
install the mod
set the chmod back to protected.

[Arantor]

Which doesn't cover for the cases of files being created by the installer which can have the correct chmod but the wrong file owner.

[Kindred]

ick... right....

[Arantor]

Whereas manual installation actually would

Both methods have pros and cons.