• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Does anyone have info on setting up a Linux or FreeBSD ftp server?

M

mulder

Senior member
Me and my roommate have 4 computers networked in our apartment and we want to be able to access files on them while at school. So, I thought about setting up an ftp server.

First of all, would a ftp server be the right route to take? Is there a better solution? I am assuming that with the ftp server, that would be the only computer I can access? Or will I be able to access all computer on our network? I am a newbie at this, in case you can't already tell. 🙂

Secondly, I would prefer to use Linux or FreeBSD, just so I can start learning to use either of them. This is where my main question comes into play...Where are some good articles and links that discuss this a ftp server setup like this? I tried doing a search over at Linuxnewbie.org, but there forums timed-out on me everytime. Maybe they are down for service or something.

Either way, I would appreciate the help. Thanks.

Edit:
I forgot to mention that we are using DSL and we have a Netgear router that connects to an 8-port switch. From there our computers are connected. Not sure if this makes a difference, but it wouldn't hurt to mention it.
 
First, install Linux (I use Mandrake Server install (V7.2).

Then open port 21 and have the router forward it to the IP of your FTP Server (DO not set your server to DHCP, give it a static IP).

Then have fun, ftpd is part of inetd and xinetd so it will just start working. if you want to get files from other computers on your network you will need to setup either samba to connect to Windows machines from the FTP server and connect them before you go, or setup NFS for the UNIX boxes or just run samba everywhere (but I would strongly recommend against it).

There is only 1 problem with this setup. FTP like Telnet send userid and password information in "Clear Text" which means that your userid and password will be sent in an unencrypted manner and is open and vulnerable to snooping. I would recommend installing OpenSSH2 instead and using that as it replaces Telnet with SSH, FTP with SCP (Secure Copy) and a Secure Rsync. Go to freessh.org for links to great resources on SSH.

BTW, you will of course need 2 more things. User accounts on the FTP server and the IP address of your Netgrear router, unless you register a domain name to your static IP. 🙂

Hope this helps, feel free to email me if you need more info... If is a fun project to setup...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top