Setting up an FTP Server

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2005-02-13 07:42am

okay. so, i've been using ftp for some time now and was looking to set up my own server. preferably using a free service as i'd rather not have to pay for one when i'm just starting to grasp the basics.

can anyone familiar with them recommend any decent services for setting up a free one? alternatively, are there any good sites with decent, clear guides on how to set them up? any help with this would be great.

CDS · Post by **CDS** » 2005-02-13 07:44am

The cheapest way you can do it is by using your own computer, and a copy of linux. (Be careful about security though)

Some web providers provide you with FTP connectivity. Although I can't think of any that still give it away for free.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2005-02-13 07:56am

CDS wrote:The cheapest way you can do it is by using your own computer, and a copy of linux. (Be careful about security though)

Some web providers provide you with FTP connectivity. Although I can't think of any that still give it away for free.

and this doesn't actually bother to answer any of my questions at all . . .

Faram · Post by **Faram** » 2005-02-13 08:20am

http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/

Free and open source.

They have a nice FTP server that is super easy to setup.

The also have a FTP client witch I also use.

Just post if you need help setting up the server.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2005-02-13 08:57am

super. i've got it downloaded and installed, but i'm not quite sure how to set it up, or rather what to look for in order to set it up.

basically i'm looking for the following options:

creating individual user accounts that can be added or deleted for people downloading from me.

figuring out which folders to grant access to for downloaders and which to limit access to

and. basically that's about all i can think of for now. as well as any other tips that might come in handy.

CDS · Post by **CDS** » 2005-02-13 08:58am

Darth_Zod wrote:
CDS wrote:The cheapest way you can do it is by using your own computer, and a copy of linux. (Be careful about security though)

Some web providers provide you with FTP connectivity. Although I can't think of any that still give it away for free.
and this doesn't actually bother to answer any of my questions at all . . .

Yes it does.
1) Look into using a real OS
2) Look for web providers, rather than FTP providers.

Fuck knows why you'd want FTP though, if you want my personal opinion.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2005-02-13 09:00am

CDS wrote:
Darth_Zod wrote:
CDS wrote:The cheapest way you can do it is by using your own computer, and a copy of linux. (Be careful about security though)

Some web providers provide you with FTP connectivity. Although I can't think of any that still give it away for free.
and this doesn't actually bother to answer any of my questions at all . . .
Yes it does.
1) Look into using a real OS
2) Look for web providers, rather than FTP providers.

Fuck knows why you'd want FTP though, if you want my personal opinion.

if all you're going to do is tell me to use another OS and look for a different service then go piss in someone else's thread and stop wasting my time.

CDS · Post by **CDS** » 2005-02-13 09:01am

Darth_Zod wrote:if all you're going to do is tell me to use another OS and look for a different service then go piss in someone else's thread and stop wasting my time.

It's an FTP server, it's free. You have total control over everything you want it to do. What else do you want?

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2005-02-13 09:03am

CDS wrote:
Darth_Zod wrote:if all you're going to do is tell me to use another OS and look for a different service then go piss in someone else's thread and stop wasting my time.
It's an FTP server, it's free. You have total control over everything you want it to do. What else do you want?

changing operating systems is not an option for me. so again, if that's all you're going to do then piss off.

CDS · Post by **CDS** » 2005-02-13 09:05am

Darth_Zod wrote:
CDS wrote:
Darth_Zod wrote:if all you're going to do is tell me to use another OS and look for a different service then go piss in someone else's thread and stop wasting my time.
It's an FTP server, it's free. You have total control over everything you want it to do. What else do you want?
changing operating systems is not an option for me. so again, if that's all you're going to do then piss off.

Why isn't changing to a far superior OS not an option? Are you also one of these dumbasses who still use IE because it takes too much effort to download firefox?

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2005-02-13 09:09am

CDS wrote:
Why isn't changing to a far superior OS not an option? Are you also one of these dumbasses who still use IE because it takes too much effort to download firefox?

i'm not the only one that uses this machine, in addition to the fact that i have several Windows only programs which i use frequently. also, i do use firefox. so once again unless you're actually going to add anything useful you can go fuck off.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2005-02-13 09:17am

CDS wrote:
Darth_Zod wrote:
CDS wrote: It's an FTP server, it's free. You have total control over everything you want it to do. What else do you want?
changing operating systems is not an option for me. so again, if that's all you're going to do then piss off.
Why isn't changing to a far superior OS not an option? Are you also one of these dumbasses who still use IE because it takes too much effort to download firefox?

1.) IE has jack and shit to do with using Windows or Firefox or that browser that The Shadow wrote last year, or whatever. Why you bring it up is beyond me, especially given the moratorium placed on harassing people about using IE after Einy sufficiently annoyed the board by doing so constantly.

2.) Linux might be theoretically superior, but until it can run the range of programs Windows can, it lags behind in usefulness no matter how superior its performance is.

Faram · Post by **Faram** » 2005-02-13 09:32am

Start here:

http://hem.bredband.net/b217293/gen.png

Also if the server is behind a Router, firewall whatever you must use PASV mode in the client.

Please do not inline large images - Phong

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2005-02-13 09:48am

hrm. i seem to be using a different version than you. i've got 2.2.10, and it doesnt' seem to have the icons in the same places.

Faram · Post by **Faram** » 2005-02-13 09:56am

Darth_Zod wrote:hrm. i seem to be using a different version than you. i've got 2.2.10, and it doesnt' seem to have the icons in the same places.

2.2.10 is the CLIENT not the server.

That screenshot is from the server interface.

Here is the server:

Linky Link

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2005-02-13 09:57am

Faram wrote:
Darth_Zod wrote:hrm. i seem to be using a different version than you. i've got 2.2.10, and it doesnt' seem to have the icons in the same places.

2.2.10 is the CLIENT not the server.

That screenshot is from the server interface.

Here is the server:

Linky Link

D'oh! okay, cool. will switch over immediately then.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2005-02-13 10:09am

okay. i've figured out the folders bit. now. . . .where can i find the IP address for the server to give to others, and how to i determine which port it's set on for them to use? don't want to accidentally give someone access to a folder i don't want them seeing.

Faram · Post by **Faram** » 2005-02-13 11:04am

Darth_Zod wrote:okay. i've figured out the folders bit. now. . . .where can i find the IP address for the server to give to others, and how to i determine which port it's set on for them to use? don't want to accidentally give someone access to a folder i don't want them seeing.

The ip adress is the same one you use to connect to the internet.

Do you have a router or somthing when you connect, then look in the statuspage in the router and set it up to forward Tcp 21 to you computer.

Othervise the ip adress is the adress you get when you do this:

Start-> Run -> cmd.exe

type "ipconfig"

Example

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.10

This is a nat adress because I use a router, and you cannot give that adress for connections from internet.

And here is my router config to allow selected IP adresses to access my FTP.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2005-02-13 11:53am

CDS wrote:The cheapest way you can do it is by using your own computer, and a copy of linux. (Be careful about security though)

Please refrain from linux advocacy as such as this. It is unconstructive commentary and, frankly, he may have reasons for not switching from Windows to another operating system.

CDS · Post by **CDS** » 2005-02-13 01:30pm

phongn wrote:
CDS wrote:The cheapest way you can do it is by using your own computer, and a copy of linux. (Be careful about security though)
Please refrain from linux advocacy as such as this. It is unconstructive commentary and, frankly, he may have reasons for not switching from Windows to another operating system.

You've never worked IT support, have you?

Windows isn't an operating system. But sadly too many things rely on Windows. Thats why I didn't respond when he said that he has software that he can't use on linux.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2005-02-13 01:42pm

CDS wrote:
phongn wrote:
CDS wrote:The cheapest way you can do it is by using your own computer, and a copy of linux. (Be careful about security though)
Please refrain from linux advocacy as such as this. It is unconstructive commentary and, frankly, he may have reasons for not switching from Windows to another operating system.
You've never worked IT support, have you?

I'm pretty sure he has.

Windows isn't an operating system.

Yes, it is. It manages memory, program execution, CPU time, peripherals, etc ... If it walks like a duck ...

So please, shut the fuck up.

As for your server, Darth_Zod, I wouldn't recommend setting up an FTP server unless you plan to use SFTP only. FTP will send your passwords through in clear-text, open to anyone who wants to peek inside the packets and take a look.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2005-02-13 01:44pm

Durandal wrote:
As for your server, Darth_Zod, I wouldn't recommend setting up an FTP server unless you plan to use SFTP only. FTP will send your passwords through in clear-text, open to anyone who wants to peek inside the packets and take a look.

duly noted. mainly i was just wanting to figure out how to configure one so i could set one up in the future. though it seems a wee bit too complicated to learn in one sitting, so i'm going to be putting it on the to do list for a more long term project.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2005-02-13 02:13pm

CDS wrote:You've never worked IT support, have you?

Yes, I have.

Windows isn't an operating system.

Wrong, for reasons Durandal has elucidated. You said it before in the past and got smacked down there, too. Parroting a tired old line doesn't make it right.

But sadly too many things rely on Windows. Thats why I didn't respond when he said that he has software that he can't use on linux.

It was your first reponse, indicating you didn't even consider his needs but just went into mindless penguinista advocacy mode.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2005-02-13 02:29pm

Are you talking about an anonymous FTP server? Or one with a username and password? Or one with multiple usernames and passwords with differing levels of access? Or do you just want to make files available for download in some manner?

In some of those cases, the best solution is to get an account with an online webhost, and then upload your files to that account. That way you can make files available to people without even the most miniscule risk of compromising the security of your LAN (a serious concern if you are not an expert in such matters). And webhost accounts start at just $5/month at some places.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2005-02-13 02:31pm

Darth Wong wrote:Are you talking about an anonymous FTP server? Or one with a username and password? Or one with multiple usernames and passwords with differing levels of access? Or do you just want to make files available for download in some manner?

In some of those cases, the best solution is to get an account with an online webhost, and then upload your files to that account. That way you can make files available to people without even the most miniscule risk of compromising the security of your LAN (a serious concern if you are not an expert in such matters). And webhost accounts start at just $5/month at some places.

setting up one with multiple user names and passwords. unfortunately paying for a webhost is out of the question at the moment, as bills and such are eating up a large chunk of my paycheck.