Can't establish ftp connection between a Xserve and a PB

Question

We want to use a Xserve (Mac OS X Server 10.4.8) to provide webhosting, but experience problems in establishing ftp connections using a PowerBook (Mac OS X 10.4.8).
On a WinXP-based notebook using the same Internet connection, anything works fine, just not on my PowerBook.
This is what happens when trying to establish a ftp connection (via terminal):
I type: ftp [email protected]
Returns:
220 star1.local FTP server ready.
331 Password required for user.
I provide the password, anything looks fine, get this output:
230 User starenterprise logged in.
Remote system type is UNIX.
Using binary mode to transfer files.
ftp>
Okay, now I want to see what files are in the directory using "dir" command ("ls" brings same result). This output is shown:
502 'EPSV': command not understood.
227 Entering Passive Mode (132,78,123,92,42,115)
Now I can either press CTRL+C to escape or when waiting around one minute, then it states this:
421 Service not available, remote server timed out. Connection closed
On a ftp client software like CuteFTP Mac it shows "Can't open data connection" instead of, but result is the same.
I read through some articles I found here, but nothing compared to my problem. Please help.
I should mention one thing Apple's support told me: Since I have the same username and UID on my PowerBook as well as on the xServe, it could bring problems. However I have then added a new user to my PowerBook, result is the same. And Apple's support left helpless so far.

Answer 1

You said: "Not really answered, the problem persists and I now go on and let
Apple work on it again"
As a native English speaker, I must say (and doubt any would disagree) that
your statement implied: "No one here has actually helped me fix this problem,
and now I'm waiting for Apple to fix it"
Please take care to the word "again" I used; this implies that Apple has tried to solve the issue before but failed (in fact, they stated to call me back, but this is weeks ago) and so I posted this here at the discussions.
Unfortunately I only have access to the "free" support (well, free is not the right word when paying 12 cents per minute for the phone call).
And this means (at least I can speak for the German part of Apple) that operators on the phone look at their knowledgebase and sending articles by e-mail; questions going deeper are resulting in a "we call you back" answer. Sometimes they phone back, sometimes not. Sometimes they are helpful, sometimes (or should I say "in most cases") they just give hints or ask me to investing a nice amount into premium support.
Don't misunderstand me in the direction that I demand assistance from this forum - I'm more than gradeful if I get help (and rewarded this always with giving points), it has saved me several times (many, many, many times) for doing time consuming investigations and making trial-and-error experiences by myself. If I cannot get more assistance, well I have to look elsewhere and so be a bit impertinent to Apple's support. Perhaps it helps
You are right, FTP itself works correctly. It even works fine on the WinXP notebook residing at the same LAN as my PB. Therefore the issue is at the PB's firewall very likely (or a strange relationship between two firewalls which seems not to affect WinXP).
But as you indicate, it makes no sense to lower down security just for doing ftp, especially since SSH works well. However since I have no problems doing ftp sessions with other servers, I would be eager to find the reason why it refuses in this case, even this just means feeding my curiosity
So if I come to new insights, I post them here. But I feel that I'll really need your wishes for luck to solve this problem Let's see...