Easiest way to set up an FTP

**gvblake22** · February 13th, 2007

I want to set up a simple FTP so I can share files with another computer. Not sure if it will be on a home network/LAN type thing or just straight over the internet so could you specify if it would work differently in either situation?

Panda Man · February 13th, 2007

I haven't had a need to setup an FTP for quite some time. When I did I used golden FTP, its decent for a home FTP, and I think its still free (I used it for internet, I'm not sure about home LAN but I don't see why it wouldn't work for that as well)

Golden FTP server :: Download

Also, for home/LAN use, why not just map a network drive?

linuxcrazy · February 14th, 2007

You can set up a Linux server with FTP, I use ProFTP on my Local Network, but for some reason I can't do passive connections outside of my network unless I turn on the DMZ on my Ethernet Router.

You can set up a ProFTP server easy. In a Debian based distro go to a command line and do

Code:

sudo apt-get install proftpd gproftpd

(If you're on a command line only server you will have to go a harder route of manually editing proftpd.conf in the /etc directory.) Simply do

Code:

sudo gproftpd

from a terminal and a graphical setup interface will come up where you can add a sever, tell it where to FTP files, etc.

I could not get Passive connections working outside of my network without turning on the DMZ on the internal IP of my server, but I'm thinking this is a router incompatibility, so you may be able to.

You need to forward ports 20-21 (TCP) and ports 1024-<ending ports, if you want 50 clients connected simultaneously do 1024-1060 about> for passive connections.(TCP) Remember these ports 1024-<number_greater_than_1024_that's_set_for_TCP> and then either edit the proftpd.conf or set the passive ports in the gproftpd configuration tool.

JCLW · February 15th, 2007

It should work the same from either.

I posted this somewhere else, but I'll repost it here for people.

Note that I wrote this for a guy with a Linksys WRT54G - if you have a different router the theory is the same but the IPs and links will be different.

#1) Register with DynDNS for their free dynamic DNS service (ie: "yourname.serveftp.net" or similar). https://www.dyndns.com/services/dns/dyndns/

#2) Don't bother installing the DynDNS client, because your WRT54G will do it for you. Log into your router. On the "Setup" page go to the "DDNS" tab (http://192.168.1.1/DDNS.asp). Under DDNS service type pick "DynDNS.org". Fill in the info.

Now yourname.serveftp.net or whatever you picked will point to your router. We'll leave that as such for the moment.

#3) Give your server a static IP address in the same range that your DHCP server gives out (ie: 192.168.1.222). Under TCP/IP properties... You'll also need to fill in subnet (255.255.255.0) and gateway (192.168.1.1 or whatever). And don't forget the DNS servers - you can find them in your ISP literature or look at your router's status page (http://192.168.1.1/Status_Router.asp).

#4) Install your FTP server software. I'll recommend Cerberus FTP Server (free).

#5) I'll walk you through setting up Cerberus. Any FTP server software should be similar. Skip the setup wizzard.

Configuration -> Server manager:
- General: Don't need to change anything. Adjust the timeout if you want.
- Interface: Lots of things to change:

Pick the interface that says 192.168.1.222 (or whatever you set your IP to in #3).
Pick a listening socket somewhere between 8000 and 30000. Something like 22222.
Set your connection limit to 36. Unless you're expecting tons of visitors.
Under PASV options pick "Use a DNS service" and enter your domain name (ie: "yourname.serveftp.net")

- Advanced: Under PASV port range the starting port should be the same as the listening port you picked earlier (22222 in my example), and make the end port 50 higher (so 22272). This covers all 36 connections easily.

Configuration -> User manager:
- Set yourself up a username and pwd. Make sure you designate yourself a root directory (ie: C:/FTP or similar). Get rid of the guest account if there is one.

Now that Cerberus is listening for incoming FTP requests on 192.168.1.222 on port 22222 (often writen as 192.168.1.222:22222), we just have to link yourname.serveftp.net to 192.168.1.222.

#6) Back in your router, go to the port forwarding section on the applications and gaming page (http://192.168.1.1/Forward.asp).
- Under application name enter "FTP" or similar.
- Under start port enter the start port you picked earlier (22222 in my example)
- Under end port enter the end port you picked earlier (22272 in my example)
- Under protocol you can leave it set to both
- IP address will be the static IP you picked (192.168.1.222 in my example)
- And of course make sure it is enabled.

So everything should be set up now :)

#7) If you're trying to log into your server using IE, you'll have to make sure it is set to passive mode. Tools -> Internet Options -> Advanced -> Make sure "Use Passive FTP" is checked (about a third of the way down on IE 6). Actually, you'll have to use passive mode no matter what FTP client you use.

#8) By now your DynDNS should have been updated. Go to your router's DDNS page and check (http://192.168.1.1/DDNS.asp). It should say "DDNS is updated successfully" or similar. If it says that there is an error check your DynDNS username and pwd. And make sure your hostname is correct.

#9) You should now be able to log into your server at ftp://yourname.serveftp.net:22222/

Let me know if you get stuck.

**gvblake22** · February 15th, 2007

JCLW, on Step #2, what do you mean by "Log into your router"?

I don't really understand any of that.

I knew I hated networking for a reason!!!!!!

JCLW · February 15th, 2007

How are you connected to the internet?

Do you have more then one computer at home? Networked together?

Usually a (home) network looks kind of like the following (with high speed internet):

I'll post more tomorrow - gotta get some shut-eye.

**stinger608** · February 15th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by gvblake22

JCLW, on Step #2, what do you mean by "Log into your router"?

I don't really understand any of that.

I knew I hated networking for a reason!!!!!!

Blake, if you have a router, it has a (well, kind of like a virtual hard drive, well sort of) and you can log into your router.

Now if you have never logged into your router, it will ask for a username and password. Most all of the routers use the same initial login information.

user name=admin
password= admin

From that point you can change that information.