Week 11 Networking

Configure FTP in windows Server 2003

This week was a continuation of setting up FTP in the server client environment, last week we looked at the installing of the FTP service on the server machine, but as it installs with limited options selected we would need to do some further configuring in the modern IT world. First of all we need to navigate to the are that manages this part of the server. It is located in the application server management as shown in the pic below the application installation was mentioned in earlier posts.

Once here we can start to configure things like who can connect to the FTP service and who can read(Download) and who can Write(Upload) to the server and of course who can do both. To start with we need to check the properties of the default FTP site as this is the site I chose to configure and use for file transfer. The first setting I like is to select who can access the service by right clicking the default FTP site and selection Permissions from the drop down list the pic below is the usual interface for adding users and rights in windows.

Once you have given the proper users there approved rights I.e Eddie can read, write but sally can only read. then it is time to configure the service itself. If there are users or user that needs to write or upload to the server then this is not set on the install to find this you will again right click the default FTP site and select properties, then select the Home Directory Tab as shown below and select the check boxes appropriate in this case read and write as Eddie needs to upload new files to the server.

This will now allow sally to read only and Eddie to read and write without this setting taking place Eddie would not be able to write to the server even if his individual rights were set to write.

Once this part is complete it is now time to set up the client side of process this is done by installing software to handle FTP client procedures such as Filezilla or SFTP then creating a new connection stating the IP of the server as the Host name for the connection and setting the protocol to FTP, Set the user name to the appropriate given user name and then save the details for future use. Once connected the user Eddie for example will be able to send and receive files from the server quite easily and quickly.

Some of the other settings I found in the FTP setup was a banner and welcome message for the FTP site it can be found in the properties of the default FTP site as the others are but found under the tab Messages shown here.

I use the FTP service for quick file transfer of important documents or code i have the reassurance of any loss of removable media doesn't mean the loss of my hard work. I think this service will survive for years to come and is an important tool for system admin and users alike.