FileZilla Server3: Basic Configuration 1

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Uniform Server 5-Nano
FileZilla FTPd (Server).

FileZilla Server basic set-up

This page covers basic server configuration it assumes you have extracted and tested portable FileZilla server as explained on the introduction page.

FileZilla server is independent of Uniform Server hence you do not need to start Uniform Server.

Recap

Before looking at configuration the following summaries which files are used for starting and stopping the server.

A) Portable (Default)

File Function
UniServer\fz_start.bat Start FileZilla Server as a standard program
UniServer\fz_stop.bat Stop FileZilla Server when running as a standard program
UniServer\fz_admin.bat Start FileZilla Server Administration panel

B) Static running as a standard program

File Function
UniServer\filezilla_server\filezilla_ftpd\zilla_start.bat Start FileZilla Server as a standard program
UniServer\filezilla_server\filezilla_ftpd\zilla_stop.bat Stop FileZilla Server when running as a standard program
UniServer\filezilla_server\filezilla_ftpd\zilla_admin.bat Start FileZilla Server Administration panel for both standard program or service

C) Static running as a service

File Function
UniServer\filezilla_server\filezilla_ftpd\zilla_service_start.bat Start FileZilla Server as a service
UniServer\filezilla_server\filezilla_ftpd\zilla_service_stop.bat Stop FileZilla Server when running as a service
UniServer\filezilla_server\filezilla_ftpd\zilla_admin.bat Start FileZilla Server Administration panel for both standard program or service

Note 1: When using option A) you are restricted to uploading/serving files from folder UniServer and any of its sub-folders.

Note 2: When using options B) or C) there are no restrictions, you can upload/server files from any folder on any hard drive.

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Start FileZilla server and Admin

I am using option A) however configuration using Admin is identical for B) and C)

Before using Admin start FileZilla server.

  1. Navigate to folder UniServer
  2. Start FileZilla server – Double click on fz_start.bat
  3. Start FileZilla Admin - double click on fz_admin.bat

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Admin

The Admin interface provides
access to three server sections:

  • setting
  • users
  • groups


Default settings allow the server to run straight
out of the box. These we will tweak latter.


There is no default user hence the first thing
to do is set a user and password covered in
the next section.

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You can select these in one of two ways:

Either using the top row of icons

  • A) - Settings
  • B) - Users
  • C) - Groups

Or from the "Edit" drop down menu

  • A1) - Settings
  • B1) - Users
  • C1) - Groups

User accounts

Create a user

For this example we will create a user fred with password fred123

  1. From Zilla Admin select Edit > Users B1)
    Users window displayed
  2. Select page General - selected by default D)
  3. Under users click Add E)
    Add user account pop-up displayed
  4. Type a new user name e.g. fred F)
  5. Click OK - Add user account pop-up disappears G)
  6. Check Enable account - Checked by default H)
  7. Check Password box J)
  8. Enter a password e.g. fred123 K)

If you click OK bottom left the following error message is displayed:

You need to share at least one directory and set it as home directory

Note 1: Directory and folder are the same thing in the next section we asssign a folder to this user.

Note 2: You can return to this page at any time, add or delete users, change passwords or even allow name access only.

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Assign a user folder

For this example we will assign the root folder www to fred.

  1. Select page Shared folders - Selected by default L)
  2. Select user - Selected by default single user M)
  3. Under shared folders click Add N)
  4. In the pop-up navigate to folder C:\UniServer\www click to highlight click OK.
    Note: Your path and drive letter may differ
  5. The folder selected is displayed O)
    to the left of this make sure “H” is displayed
    if not clcik “Set as home dir” P)
  6. Select file privileges you wish to allow Q)
  7. Select directory privileges you wish to allow R)
  8. Click OK S)

Notes:

For each new user repeat steps 3-16. You can change user privileges and delete users as required.

Restart the server to guarantee changes take effect (generally not required)

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Quick Test

Assuming you are running the server on your local machine you can quickly test the account.

Type the following into your browser:

ftp://localhost/ a pop-up is displayed enter name (fred) and password (fred123).

A page is displayed showing files and folders contained in your shared folder (www).

Local network access

Anyone on your local network can access the ftp server by typing ftp://your_ip_address into their browser; they will be challenged for a user name and password.

To find your IP address use a command prompt:

  • Open command prompt start > run > type in cmd > clik OK
  • In the command window type ipconfig /all
  • Look for your IP address. If you are using a wireless network the address will be similar to this 192.168.1.6
  • While in the command window look for Host Name (my PC name is mpg2) the name of your PC
    (note sometimes this is not set-up)

A user can use either HostName or IP address to access your FTP server for example:

A user on your network would then type ftp://192.168.1.6/ Or ftp://mpg2/

Neither of the above is very easy on the eye an alternative is to get each user to add a memorable name to their hosts file. For example under localhost add a line as shown below:

127.0.0.1 localhost
192.168.1.6 my_ftp_server

They must substitute 192.168.1.6 for your IP address and replace my_ftp_server with a memorable name, which they would like to use.

Internet access

To access your FTP server from the Internet a user would type the following into a browser:

ftp://your_domain_name/ alternatively ftp://your_external_ip_address


On-line help:

Testing an FTP server for online access can be problematic however there are two useful online services that can help:

  • To find your external IP address use: Whatsmyip
    Alternatively run "server status" from UniTray.


Ports:

If you have a direct Internet connection there should be no problems with access.
However if you are using a router you need to forward ports 20 and 21 every router is different hence pay a visit to PortForwrd for detailed instructions.

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Problems

You may be unlucky and have a service provider that blocks the common FTP ports. In this event try changing the ports. Do not allow your firewall to block Internet access otherwise you will need to manually enable access.

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FTP Clients

Using a browser allows for quick testing however an FTP client offers more flexibility my personal favourite is FireFTP running on Firefox. It’s a personal taste hence choose one that suits your needs.

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Summary

The above shows how easy FileZilla server is to set-up and test. The next page covers mapping alias folders.

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