Uploading data files to Webin upload area under Linux

Question

[Michael G]

The European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) requires certain datasets to be uploaded to the Webin upload area (webin.ebi.ac.uk) before they can be submitted via XML files that reference the uploaded file.

According to this doc, one can use lftp to upload a data file. However, when I try to do this in practice, I find that several modifications have to be made to get anywhere near a login to the Webin upload area:

Attempting a log-in under the default settings causes a freeze at line

`ls' at 0 [FEAT negotiation...]

michael_science ~ $ lftp webin.ebi.ac.uk
lftp webin.ebi.ac.uk:~> login myWebinAccount
Password:
lftp [e-mail]:~> ls
`ls' at 0 [Connecting...]
`ls' at 0 [FEAT negotiation...]

Attempting a log-in upon disabling FEAT negotiation and SSL encryption goes further, but still doesn't get the job done, as it freezes at line

`ls' at 0 [Logging in...]

lftp -e 'set ftp:use-feat false; set ftp:ssl-allow false' webin.ebi.ac.uk
lftp webin.ebi.ac.uk:~> login myWebinAccount
Password:
lftp [e-mail]:~> ls
`ls' at 0 [Connecting...]
`ls' at 0 [Logging in...]

Has anyone successfully logged onto to the Webin upload area (webin.ebi.ac.uk) recently? If so, how?

Edit 1: Upon communication with the ENA helpdesk, it turned out to be a server problem by ENA, which seems to have been resolved for now.

[GenoMax]

This sounds like a good case to create a direct help desk ticket with EBI.

Answer 1

[AK]

I was able to connect to webin.ebi.ac.uk yesterday, using both ftp webin.ebi.ac.uk command or Transmit (FTP client for OSX), but the connection was not very stable. Today I found it not possible to reach it using the same methods.

[Michael G]

@AllenKao Would you mind sharing the precise commands that you are using when ftp'ing to webin.ebi.ac.uk?

[AK]

Yes, in addition to the FTP client, this worked on Monday (source):

1. Open a terminal and type ftp webin.ebi.ac.uk.
2. Enter the username and password associated with your Webin submission account.
3. Type bin to use binary mode.
4. Type ls command to check the content of your drop box.
5. Type prompt to switch off confirmation for each file uploaded.
6. Use mput command to upload files.
7. Use bye command to exit the ftp client.

Just tried it and now works for me:

$ ftp webin.ebi.ac.uk
Connected to webin.ebi.ac.uk (193.62.192.11).
220 (vsFTPd 2.2.2)
Name webin.ebi.ac.uk:XXXXX): myWebinAccount
331 Please specify the password.
Password:
230 Login successful.
Remote system type is UNIX.
Using binary mode to transfer files.

[Michael G]

@AllenKao Thanks. I used pretty much the same commands in the past. However, I am still unable to even connect to the server, as it hangs at login:

$ ftp webin.ebi.ac.uk
Connected to hh-webin.ebi.ac.uk.
# Hangs here forever.

[AK]

You might contact the ENA Helpdesk: [e-mail] .

[GenoMax]

Michael Gruenstaeudl : This could a problem with your local firewall/security setup. I just tried ftp webin.ebi.ac.uk and was immediately presented with a login prompt.

[Michael G]

Just received an email by ENA that it was a server problem on their side. Seems to be corrected now.

[Michael G]

Interestingly, I am able to connect when I ftp directly to the IP address:

ftp 193.62.192.11
Connected to 193.62.192.11.
220 (vsFTPd 2.2.2)
Name (193.62.192.11:XXXX):

[Juke34]

It is the third day I try without success... ftp 193.62.192.11 and ftp webin.ebi.ac.uk the same...

421 Service not available, remote server has closed connection

:(

[GenoMax]

This must be a local issue. I just tried ftp webin.ebi.ac.uk (or 193.62.192.11) and was immediately presented with a login prompt.

[Juke34]

Interesting... I have tried from two different location in Sweden without success....

both are in universities.... maybe a new firewall protection ...

Ok, I have tried using a vpn and now it is working !!

[Michael G]

@Juke-34 and @genomax Actually, the issue is an unstable server on the side of ENA. It goes offline intermittently throughout the day. I was unsuccessful ftp'ing to 193.62.192.11 prior to 11:00 CEST, then successful, and since about 14:00 CEST unsuccessful again. AllenKao, in his post above, has correctly diagnosed the phenomenon.