FTP Introduction and a Question

[bluebear56]

I would like to setup up a FTP server so others can on the internet can access my selected folders. I currently am trying to get Serv - U to Work but dont know where I am going wrong.

Some Question:
1. Do I need to setup a ftp domain name with my ISP before I can get FTP server to work or do I do it through the server program?

2. Can I check if my FTP is working on the same computer as the server is running?

It would be great if someone could take me through the steps to get a server setup cause FTP Voyager or Serv - U tutorials arent very helpful

[degsy]

I haven't used Serv-U. I use Cerberus and would recommend it. Very easy to setup.

You can access the FTP server using your IP Address but to make it easy you can get a free domain name and IP sync tool from sites such as http://www.no-ip.com/ and http://www.dyndns.org/

The IP would need to be your ISP IP Address, not an internal IP address. Also if you have a router you will probably need to forward ports.


You can check your FTP server by using the IP or domain name. That will be taking you out from your PC to the internet then back to your PC using the IP or domain that other external users would be using.

[z1p]

I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, but some ISPs prohibit you from running a server on your connection. This depends on the ISP and contract, so you may want to check your terms of service.

[bluebear56]

My ISP (exetel.com.au) provides FTP tools so I am sure it supports FTP servers.

Since you are the first to respond to my post, degsy, could you take me through the process of seting up an server account with Cerberus. Maybe suggest a FTP client to use ( I currently have FTP Voyager, SmartFTP, CuteFTP, WS_FTP installed.

Some details of my connection:
Static IP address: 220.233.125.208
Device IP address: 192.168.1.1
Port Forwarding of FTP through Port 21 through IP address: 192.168.1.1

I have setup a Static account with dyndns with the hostname: bluebear56.shacknet.nu and created a login account of bluebear56. When I put these details into my modem (Netcomm NB5580W gateway includs NAT) it says the "Hostname doesnt exist"

I must say that the wizard for Cerberus was not as good as the other Server software I have installed (Serv-U )

[bluebear56]

I had read from many others sources, specifically PortForwarding.com that I need to configure Static Routing or something. How do I do this?

[bAdWaYz]

Port Forwarding of FTP through Port 21 through IP address: 192.168.1.1

Thats not gonna work. What you want to do is forward port 21 to the ip address of your computer not the routers ip. For example if your computers gets an ip address of 192.168.1.2 from the routers dhcp then you need to forward port 21 for 192.168.1.2 For your computer to use a static address you need to go into the LAN properties and instead of "obtian ip address auto" click the tick box for "use the following ip address" and enter in an address like 192.168.1.2 Then for dns tick "use the following dns addresses" and enter in the dns address given by your isp. If you need to find out what those are you should be able to do ipconfig /all from a command prompt and write down the dns address or addresses.