How do I set up a simple FTP server?

[usil]

I have a domain with a dynamic IP. Use DynDNS which gives me the static IP.

I'd like to be able to write in my domain address and it will automatically offer a download of a program.
For example, if I'd type in www.pcpro.co.il/support it will offer to download a little program. How do I set up the FTP program on my server for it to work?

[ua549]

What OS is the server running?
How much traffic do you expect?
You have a dynamic IP even if you use DynDNS. All DynDS is keep up with your ever changing dynamic IP address so your site can be located via FQDN.

You must have entries in your DNS Zone to point to your public FTP server.
Typical entries will include ftp.domain.com, domain.com, etc. so that references such as ftp://domain.com and/or ftp://ftp.domain.com can be resolved to an IP address. Both public references will point to the same place.

Many ISP's disallow serving from a residential account. Some even block the standard ports. If in doubt, check the agreement with your ISP. Many will grant you authorization for low traffic "family" serving using a residential account, but the larger ISP's and cable companies seem to be pretty strict. If you are denied permission and get caught violating the permissible use policies, they can terminate your account immediately.

That said, Windows XP has built-in IIS and allows up to 10 concurrent connections. FTP uses 2 connections when active. The standard IP ports are 20 and 21. One is for control and the other is for data. They need to be forwarded to your server's private IP address (static) if you are behind a router.

In addition there are several stand alone FTP servers available for various operating systems such as Tiny FTP Server.

[usil]

Thanks for your answer. I was a bit unclear in my first post, so I'll clear it up.
I am not on a domain. What I meant is that I have a domain name. I am on a simple workgroup network.

I am aware that it is a dynamic IP address. But the DynDNS service should be enough in this case, shouldn't it?

The traffic will be minimal. I don't think I'll be having any problems with my ISP.

The solution I am looking is the simplest method. Something like Tiny FTP should do. I am running XP Pro. I will forward ports on my router to the server.

If I don't have a website, can I make up an address such as www.pcpro.co.il/support ? How exactly do I go about this? I'm clueless on these kind of things.

[Tuttle]

There's no real relationship between running a web site and running an FTP server. Web page URLs start with http://, FTP URLs start with ftp://. You can put an FTP link on a web page, or people can just type it into their browser or FTP client.

One thing to consider is that http://www.pcpro.co.il/ links and ftp://www.pcpro.co.il/ links are both going to hit the same server -- you can't have the web server on one machine and the FTP server on another without using a different hostname (eg ftp://ftp.pcpro.co.il/, or ftp://myftpsite.dyndns.org/).

Port forwarding for FTP can be complicated, depending on how much your router understands FTP. http://slacksite.com/other/ftp.html is worth a read. Note that most clients are passive FTP because it works best for the user through home routers. All the complexity gets dumped on the server admin.

[usil]

Thanks Tuttle.

Because I'm an ignorant on the subject of FTP, I guess I am not explaining things well.

Basically, I own the domain. But how would I go about making up an address such as pcpro.co.il/support (I am referring to the "support" part of the address?

To sum up my question, What do I need to do for people to be able to type ftp://pcpro.co.il/support and get to my download? I need it to be done as simply as possible using just a router, one computer (on a workgroup) and a dynamic IP using DyDNS. Can it even be done?

[SpywareDr]

Where is your pcpro.co.il site hosted?

--

To create a pcpro.co.il/support, simply make a new subdirectory named support. (Just like you currently have one named pcpro.co.il/graphics with a file named "logo_pcpro.gif" in it ... http://www.pcpro.co.il/graphics/logo_pcpro.gif).

[usil]

The domain is hosted by my local ISP.
That domain is not exactly mine, its very similar to mine. I purposefully left out the real domain so as not to get spam.
So obviously the website is not mine either.

[Tuttle]

The /support bit is as simple as making a directory.

Once you have the FTP server set up, it'll have the concept of an FTP root directory that you select -- the directory it starts serving from if you go to ftp://ftp.pcpro.co.il/. If you create a file in that directory called downloadme.txt, then ftp://ftp.pcpro.co.il/downloadme.txt will download that file. If you make a directory in there called support, then ftp://ftp.pcpro.co.il/support will exist.

The complicated bit is getting the FTP server up and serving stuff at all. Putting stuff in there after the fact is trivial by comparison.

[usil]

The /support bit is as simple as making a directory.

Once you have the FTP server set up, it'll have the concept of an FTP root directory that you select -- the directory it starts serving from if you go to ftp://ftp.pcpro.co.il/. If you create a file in that directory called downloadme.txt, then ftp://ftp.pcpro.co.il/downloadme.txt will download that file. If you make a directory in there called support, then ftp://ftp.pcpro.co.il/support will exist.

The complicated bit is getting the FTP server up and serving stuff at all. Putting stuff in there after the fact is trivial by comparison.

How complicated is complicated?

[Rothf]

I think you can use the Serv-U to build a server ,about usage of serv-u ,see http://www.ccsoftware.ca/ftpservu/faq2.cfm
first way,if you just want to make use it in a local net,you just need to a DNS server on your computer and create a record which point domain to youself ,the you should alter others DNS,point it to your IP,but this may make others connt visit internet,it's just suit for those local net
second way,you can download a client from you DynDNS servicer,and the client can update your DynDNS Automatic once you start you computer,
after this ,you should creat a static IP point to your computer in your router,then open 20 and 21 port(in your router), then others can download what you share.
just like the uper said ,what you can use is"ftp://www.pcpro.co.il/",not "http://www.pcpro.co.il/",beacuse they point to different port and protocol

[Rodney M]

You could also use No-IP!
And I was able to find a help.txt for setting this up,
also thought I would add alittle more nfo what I used n followed to set up n use Serv-U



1. Getting a static address for your Ftp server :

- Go to http://www.no-ip.com/newUser.php to sign in for a static address
- Enter a Firstname, a Lastname, a valid email address (pas*word for your account will be sent to you via email), select your gender, pick a Country and choose something for the "How did you hear about No-IP?" field. Then click the Register button.
- Your account has been created
- Now check your mailbox and wait for the mail that contains your pas*word
- Go back to http://www.no-ip.com/ and type your email address and pas*word to login to your account.
- Once in your account, click on Add a host in the left menu
- Type in the Hostname you want (ie: redrat) and pick a Domain from the list (ie: ftpserve.com)
- Check Allow Wildcards and click the Submit button
- You now have your static address (ie: redrat.serveftp.com)
- Click on your os link in the Dyn-Update Client in the bottom right menu and follow links to download the client
- Once downloaded, install the software and type in your email address and pas*word when asked.
- Finally tick the checkbow near your static address.

Well done, you now have a static web address

2. Installing and setting the ftp server :

- Download Serv-U 3 ftp server from http://www.serv-u.com/ and install it
- Launch Serv-U and use the wizard to set your ftp
- Click Next until you're asked for a IP address, leave it blank and click Next
- Type the domain name you've just registered above (ie: redrat.ftpserve.com) in the domain name field and click next
- Now you're asked if you want anonymous access allowed, pick No and click Next
- You're now asked if you want to create a named account, tick Yes and click Next
- Then type the Username for this account (ie: redratforum) and click next
- Type a pas*word for this account (ie: 0103xyzjim$, try create one with letters + numbers and special caracters, it's more secured) and click Next
- Now you're asked for the account Home directory, create a folder c:ftproot and select it as home directory, click Next
- Select Yes to lock this account to the Home directory so he can't go upper and click Next
- Pick No privilege as the account you're creating is not an admin one, and click Next
- The account is now set so click Finish
- In the left tree-menu, select the account you've just created
- Then click the General Tab
- Set the max download speed (if you don't understand this then leave it blank)
- Set the max upload speed (again if you don't understand this then leave it blank)
- Set the max numbers of users. This depends on your connection speed but try these (56 - 1, ISDN - 3, ADSL or cable - 5-6 users)
- Then click on the Dir Access tab
- In the directory listing click on the Home directory name you've set just above and use the following settings :
Files: read ticked, write ticked, append ticked, delete unticked and execute unticked
Directories : list ticked, create ticked, remove unticked
Sub-directories : inherit ticked

Last thing is to place the stuff you want to be avaiable for download in your server home directory.

Your server is now set !
Try logging in using the username and pas*word you have previously set.

[usil]

I already use DynDNS and an updater program.

Thank you both for the serv-u recommendation. I will try it out and let you know how it went.

[Rothf]

if there is any question,please e-mail me,i can do my best to help you ,beacuse i have bulit a FTP server a few days ago and i have the same condition with you ,hehe

[usil]

By the way, does anyone know if there is a way to use one of the DNS programs with my own domain name or do I have to use their domain name?

[Rothf]

The first choice is use the domain they offer to you ,beacuse this is free,just like ,my ISP have a website named 'http:\\www.3322.org',it allow me to register a free domain named"http:\\www.XXX.3322.org",of course you can buy one ,obviously,this will make you pay fee for the ISP every year