Can anyone please tell me how do set up an FTP site. What's involved? Please be as layman as possible. I have alot of software to share!

Thanks

[ October 26, 2001: Last edited by Solids ]</p>

1 : You need a computer :D
2 : You need an Operating System ( Win-xx / *nix )
3 : You need a FTP Server program
4 : You need a public accessible IP adress ( not 10.x.x.x / 192.168.x.x )
5 : Your connection to Internet *should* be fast and stable.
6 : You will need a "friendly" ISP, or know how to hide your server.

The most important thing is 4 and 6.

Let me know if you need more input's :cool:


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edited after the import, to improve readability.

regrding number 3,

I found the easiest program to use for me was the BulletProof_G6 ftp client. Easy to set up, and if you don't have a static IP, it will change itself accordingly (But if you have a stitice IP - even better).

and in regards to #6
very important... I am using @HOME internet service, and they don't allow you to run a server (@HOME uses the 3 strike rule, get cought you loose your internet :( ). I would say set it at a high port, not any of the common ports (21 or 8080, and some others). Get a program that see's what ports your ISP scans (I never used one, so someone will have to tell you what is a good proggie out there).

[ October 26, 2001: Last edited by Lucky ]</p>

Great help, Thank you!

I have cable service provider and they hate me already. LOL!

Solids

If you require any further help or software "assistance" PM me - and be sure to enable your PM in your options [img]smile.gif[/img]

about the isp port scan:

can you block them from scanning your ports? (i'm on a linksys router btw)

I'm on @home too and the only thing stopping me from setting up an ftp server is the possibility of losing my service.....it's the only broadband in the area :(

edit: i was checking my router's incoming logs and there was A LOT of 24.249.***.*** (@home network addys) scanning port 80.....i'm guessing this is @home checking to see if i've set up a server??

[ October 26, 2001: Last edited by neo84 ]</p>

Port 80 scans could still be coming from Code Red and Nimda thingys. They would have to be scanning for port 21 (FTP) as well to see if you are doing that. I have points 1-6 in place, but would like to know more about hiding an FTP Site. I ran a private one for 5-6 years but Robots etc. found it eventually and it got posted all over the Net. The hits went through the roof and I eventually gave up and shut it off.

[b:3492e024ba]crowdirt :[/b:3492e024ba]
By hiding, I meant [b:3492e024ba]not[/b:3492e024ba] to use port# 21, and to change the port once in a while.

Port nr's used by games and game server's is usually a good idea.
Like port# 27015 for instance.

Then it's important to change the public user/pass from time to time,
and only post it where you want it to be found.

If you have a static IP, don't post it but use a free DNS provider.
This way you can even change your public displayed adress.

Hi BearCat

I have control over the IP # and can change it from time to time (Its Dynamic). I have a Userid/password in place. Been experimenting with the Port # as well. That is where I get into trouble. I am using Win2K Server (IIS) and for some reason I can get Logged on ok but any File Access fails. When using FlashFXP it gets to the "Entering Passive Mode" and then the Socket fails and disconnects. May be the Port # I tried which was 2020. Will experiment some more when I have time.

Same story here. Can't figure it out. Maybe someone around here will give us a hand?
Hardware/software:
Router(SMC Barricade),static IP, BPFTP Srvr.

This may or may not help!

Do you run firewalls ?
Zonealarm etc..

you must enable the UDP/TCP ports that you assigned to these port

I pulled my hairs out each time I forgot to enable the ports from the security TAB of ZA when I need to change the ports as suggested by Saskias Bearcat good advice and needed to test it [img]smile.gif[/img]

[img:32653b7ae1]http://kean.orcon.net.nz/jupflag1.gif[/img:32653b7ae1]

BearCat, nice instructions. Two questions. How can you hide your server #6 and Firewall set up. I have Zone Alarm Pro. Thanks.

FTP Servers have to "Listen" on some port, otherwise they would not be on the Net. The Default port is 21, but lots of things out there are looking at that. In order to "Hide" one approach is to use some other Port Number. Another thing to do is be a "Moving Target". Use IP numbers that can be changed easily if you want to "Disappear". Dynamic IP's are good for this. Posting the same DNS name that follows changes to dynamic IP numbers means you can be found easily by using the Name Provided. Might not want to do that.

Another issue is how to control "Access". If you allow an unlimited number of "Anonymous" connections, you will soon drown in massive connections. Slow FTP Sites can only handle a small number of users at once (4 say). Another "Control" method is to only allow specific IP's to connect. A good way to create a specific "Account" for each user you want to allow on your site. IP's are like public keys and do not have to be kept "Secret" like Passwords do.

Using "Ports" that are used by Game servers and File Swapping Servers (Kazaa etc.) is not a good idea. ISP's will be checking those as well as port 21 when they are looking for "File Providers" on their networks.

[ November 02, 2001: Last edited by crowdirt ]</p>

Crowdirt,

Why would using a port used by "kazza," or online games be a bad idea?

I was under the impression that the use of these ports would give the ISP an indication that you are either a game junkie, or your file sharing service, ie kazza, gnutella etc is always on because you are downloading songs etc.

@home told me that they dont permit use of thier broadband for server use, but sharing music with a peer to peer service does not constitute "sharing."

Is there something else I should know? :rolleyes:

Yeah the RIAA is leaning on ISP's to slow/stop the flow of Music and stuff. Its the next "Round" of attack after Napster. Most Colleges are blocking all the Peer to Peer ports now in order to contain excessive Bandwidth usage.

People who exactly do you mean by @HOME?

[ November 25, 2001: Last edited by Nik ]</p>

@HOME normally means a "Cable" connection in North America. Unfortunately @Home is Bankrupt these days. Various other Companies have been picking up the pieces.

A few have mentioned that while running Zone Alarm PRO, they can connect, but get a Socket error. I have run into the same problem [enabled incoming TCP port 21, and outbound TCP port 20], but found one way around it. I found that if I add the client's IP address into the Local Zone, I can then get in and download by typing the ftp details into the URL address of IE, for example ftp://betanet:betanet@216.1.11.166:27015 (sample only - not a real address).

While I found this method of using a browser for FTP to work, I still get a Socket error if I use an FTP client like CuteFTP Pro. Of course, getting people to connect with a brower means that you would have to know their IP address and add that address to Zone Alarm's Local Zone settings.

If someone has found a way to resolve the socket error using an FTP client, would love to hear it. Thank you.

thanks crowdirt. In UK there is HOME500 which is Home ADSL, so I thought may be you've mentioned this one, that's why I asked.
Also when I got ADSL I don't remember detail in the contract about FTP severs.
Regards.

Hi Nik, my ADSL ISP does not say anything about what you do with the connection either. The "Don't run a Server" stuff is basically in the "Cable" contracts in North America that I am aware of. Most likely due to the "Shared" nature of a cable connection.