I'm dumb and want to setup an FTP server but have no idea how

[TKHDebater]

I'd like to setup a small FTP server on a spare desktop of mine running over my cable connection. It would just be to share photos of this summer with friends, maybe an MP3 or two but mainly just photos, im sure there would only be 5 or 10 people that used it once a week or so. Is this simple to do or....? The computer is an old celeron 400 with 128mb i think, i could wipe it completely or install whatever OS. if you can point me towards a guide or give me an idea of what this would take i'd really appreciate it, thanks

 

[mrbass]

Really simple is to install e-smith e-smith.org they have a new 6.0 beta2 out..wait till 6.0 goes final and dowload that .iso (about 350MB) ....once you install it it's just a matter of configuring all options from your webbrowser so it's pretty simple. Now if you want to install a windows 2k or xp then I'd suggest the freeware guildftpd and that's simple too.

 

[JackMDS]

Log to any of the Download sites.

Enter the term FTP. You will find many FTP programs, some free, some inexpensive.

Load a program, install, and read the Manual.

Here an example: WS_FTP Pro Support Center.

 

[PCHPlayer]

First of all you either need a fixed IP or you have to tell your users what your IP address is on the day they want to FTP.
Second. You need to configure your router to route FTP connection requests to your FTP server.
Third. You need FTP server software. You can probably find a free one for windows, or you could always try Linux (which is free). It comes with one.

 

[TKHDebater]

I'm assuming since i have a cable modem my IP is not fixed...?

 

[titanmiller]

If you dont have a fixed IP, you could probably write a simple java program that will tell the users your current IP address through a webpage.

 

[PCHPlayer]

Originally posted by: titanmiller
If you dont have a fixed IP, you could probably write a simple java program that will tell the users your current IP address through a webpage.

How are they going to find the web page without the IP address?

 

[Mitzi]

Originally posted by: PCHPlayer

Originally posted by: titanmiller
If you dont have a fixed IP, you could probably write a simple java program that will tell the users your current IP address through a webpage.

How are they going to find the web page without the IP address?

There are lots of free services which map a static domain name onto a dynamic IP address using a small client application on the host machine which updates the IP whenever it is ran.

Take a look at the results of this Google search.

 

[V00DOO]

No-Ip. It's FREE!

 

[jonmullen]

Originally posted by: PCHPlayer
you could always try Linux (which is free). It comes with one.

You dont know much about linux do you? Linux is just a kernel, by itself it has not programs. Now most distros come with packages to install a ftp server, usually ftpd. Back on topic if you dont feel comfortable with linux it its still pretty easy to get one setup in Window, its just not going to be very stable unless it is Win2k or XP

 

[DaiShan]

Originally posted by: jonmullen

Originally posted by: PCHPlayer
you could always try Linux (which is free). It comes with one.

You dont know much about linux do you? Linux is just a kernel, by itself it has not programs. Now most distros come with packages to install a ftp server, usually ftpd. Back on topic if you dont feel comfortable with linux it its still pretty easy to get one setup in Window, its just not going to be very stable unless it is Win2k or XP

Come on that is abusive, he was explaining to someone new to the idea of ftp servers, what was he going to say? Install linux kernel 2.4 making sure to install the ftpd package, or he could just as easily have said install linux, the full package install will take care of it, and yes you probably wouldn't want to run any type of server on a 9x box, no matter the load, although I don't even know anyone who still uses it as a client let alone a server...