I've open the ports on my router for all of my computers...
hum; you usually PORT FORWARD the router to a specific ip address
(ie inbound requests can only go to one system). Outbound connections do not
need this if you connect and use
passive data.
Win/XP (all versions/editions) has the FTP client for use under the CMD prompt.
To have someone connect to your system using FTP, you need the FTPD server
installed and it is avialable on Windows Server editions. There may be some 3rd party
version that are compatible and installable for XP/home/pro -- google for it.
As to firewalls, both FTP and FTPD, you need to allow at least in/out traffic on port 21.
if you use the
passive command after connecting to the remote system, that
will be all you need. if you forget or don't want to use passive, then you also
need to allow i/o traffic on port 20.
Be advised,
when FTPD is installed, active and your firewall is open on these
ports,
you WILL be subject to intrusion attacks. A good policy to follow is to
only start/stop FTPD for the period needed.