how do you set up an FTP server?

[drthundr]

i know this should go in mercuryengine, but more people view this...so...just wanted to know what the easiest way to set up an FTP server so my friends and I can swap files. Which apps do I need installed?. I'm behind a router, so does that matter? Do I need IIS installed, etc? Thanks...peace.

[chemicalbeavis]

You need to know first if your ip is static or not, if not you need to sign up with a dns server such as 2mydns (www.2mydns.com) you then use a program to update your ip each time you logon, i recommend Dynsite for this (http://noeld.com/download.htm)
Now you need the ftp server software, i use Serv-U (http://www.serv-u.com/) After you install the software there is a wizard to help you configure your server and accounts, thats about it, hope it helps.....

[drthundr]

nice...i was reading up on serv-u. seems like that's what everyone is using for personal ftp servers. my ip is through my cable company. it's static until they decide to change it....but i think it's been the same since i got the cable modem 2 years ago. so if it's just as easy as loading serv-u, i think i can handle the rest...thanks

[neoee]

Since your behind a router your also going to need to forward port 21 to you computer with the FTP.

[influx]

you'll also need to set your server to use passive (pasv) transfers. this will basically tell serv-u that you are behind a firewall and will make sure it uses the right address. you'll also need to port forward your pasv ports on your router. usually it's best to set a small range... like 2000 - 2010. you will also need to define those values in serv-u. after that you'l be all set!

[neoee]

^^^ I think if you leave it in active mode the server initates a connection on a random port, which pokes a temporary hole in the firewall to allow communication. Still like influx said it something you'll have to look into.

Here's a site that helps explain:

http://slacksite.com/other/ftp.html

[influx]

^^^ really? never heard of that. i don't see how it's possible though considering that serv-u has no way of temporarily opening a port on a router. the only way i've gotten it to work is by using passive mode and port forwarding those ports... along with port forwarding port 21 (or whatever port your ftp server is using, might be different depending on your setup. i.e. if you're using explicit ssl your port would be 990)

[neoee]

Re: how do you set up an FTP server?

Any server/computer can open a hole in a firewall that is PAT based. The computer initates a request going out which associates an external port to an internal port and IP. This is tied to the port for a set amount of time. Once the timer expires the entry dies out which is why NAT is not as secure as people think. However in most NAT implementations most people use stateful packet inspection which helps secure things up.

If you have a device that allows it you can see it. But with a linksys router you aren't going to see the nat translations. Here's a snippet from my Cisco router:

uBR924>en
uBR924#sh ip nat translations
Pro Inside global Inside local Outside local Outside global
tcp 24.16.224.175:8080 192.168.1.2:80 --- ---
udp 24.16.224.175:1031 192.168.1.10:1031 204.127.199.8:53 204.127.199.8:53
udp 24.16.224.175:9 192.168.1.255:9 --- ---
tcp 24.16.224.175:1971 192.168.1.104:1971 207.176.136.100:80 207.176.136.100:80
tcp 24.16.224.175:1972 192.168.1.104:1972 207.176.136.100:80 207.176.136.100:80
tcp 24.16.224.175:80 192.168.1.20:80 --- ---
tcp 24.16.224.175:3998 192.168.1.10:3998 63.135.0.119:6346 63.135.0.119:6346
tcp 24.16.224.175:2234 192.168.1.10:2234 4.60.17.212:2506 4.60.17.212:2506
tcp 24.16.224.175:2234 192.168.1.10:2234 --- ---
tcp 24.16.224.175:2302 192.168.1.10:23 --- ---
tcp 24.16.224.175:2234 192.168.1.10:2234 193.224.41.14:56671 193.224.41.14:56671
tcp 24.16.224.175:2621 192.168.1.104:2621 140.186.143.5:9000 140.186.143.5:9000
tcp 24.16.224.175:3828 192.168.1.10:3828 66.218.71.162:80 66.218.71.162:80
tcp 24.16.224.175:3833 192.168.1.10:3833 66.218.71.162:80 66.218.71.162:80

[MJ]

^^ ya just a big show aren`t ya?

[neoee]

^^ ya just a big show aren`t ya?

Only as big a post whore you are.

I was just trying to paint a better picture. The Linksys router is actually better than the Cisco but you just can't see whats going on with the Linksys.