FTP is disabled by default for security reasons. Follow the steps below to temporarily enable it on your Ewon device.
APPLICABLE PRODUCTS
Flexy, Cosy+, Cosy
PRE-REQUISITES
To follow this article you need to have admin access rights on the Ewon device.
IN THIS ARTICLE
- FTP Disabled by Default on Recent Firmware
- Enable the FTP Server on the Ewon device
- Use eBuddy to Perform Backup or Firmware Update
- Re‑Disable FTP After Completing the Operation
FTP Disabled by Default on Recent Firmware
Recent firmware versions have introduced changes to the default device behaviour, including the deactivation of the FTP server by default.
Affected firmware versions:
- Ewon Flexy & Cosy131: starting from Firmware 15.0
- Ewon Cosy+: starting from Firmware 23.0
In these versions, FTP is no longer active out of the box and will not run after a factory reset unless manually enabled. For detailed change logs, refer to: Ewon Flexy & Cosy131 – Feature Changes Introduced in Firmware 15.0 – HMS Support Portal
Enable the FTP Server on the Ewon device
To ensure security, always connect to the Ewon using a secure network path, such as a direct LAN connection or VPN connection (e.g., via eCatcher)
FTP access is managed through the advanced configuration parameter: ClosedDevice
You can modify this setting using the Tabular Edition on the Ewon user Interface:
- Go to Setup > System > Storage > Tabular edition > Edit COM cfg
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Use the search field at the top of the table and type “Closed”.
This filters the list and displays the ClosedDevice parameter.⚠ Important: Write down the original ClosedDevice value before modifying it, especially if it is not 21 or 0. Some installations use custom security values to restrict access, and the ClosedDevice paramter controls more than just FTP - it can also allow or block services like HTTP on various interfaces. You will need to restore this original value once the operation is complete.
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Select the ClosedDevice entry and change the value according to your connection method:
- If you are connected through VPN: → Set ClosedDevice = 1 (FTP opened on VPN only).
- If you are connected on the LAN side: → Set ClosedDevice = 0 (FTP opened on LAN and VPN). - Click Save to apply the change.
Use eBuddy to Perform Backup or Firmware Update
Once FTP has been enabled via ClosedDevice, you can use the eBuddy application to perform the backup or firmware update.
If eBuddy is still unable to connect, make sure:
- The PC can reach the device on LAN or VPN
- No firewall blocks the FTP port
- The ClosedDevice value is correctly applied
If eBuddy reports a transfer error when attempting a firmware update, please first ensure that you are running a recent version of eBuddy:
- eBuddy version 12.5.0 introduced support for secure firmware files (EDFS), required for firmware versions 15 and above.
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Inside eBuddy, you can check whether a newer version of eBuddy is available via the top menu:
Tools → Update eBuddy (shortcut F8). If your installed version is not up to date, eBuddy will display a download link at the bottom of the window.
You can also download and reinstall the latest version of eBuddy from HMS's general downloads page.
Re‑Disable FTP After Completing the Operation
Best Practice: If you changed the ClosedDevice parameter to allow FTP access (for example to value 0), you should restore it after completing your maintenance operation.
The ClosedDevice parameter controls not only FTP access, but also the HTTP services. This means the device may not originally have been using the default value 21. Administrators sometimes configure this parameter intentionally to restrict specific services.
Therefore:
- If the device originally used ClosedDevice = 21 (factory default): Restore it back to 21 to close FTP and return the device to its secure default behavior.
- If the device used a different value before your operation (custom configuration): Restore the original value, not necessarily 21.
Failing to restore the correct initial value could unintentionally re‑enable services that were intentionally restricted, or block services that were intended to remain open.
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