Installing an ftp server – getting FreeBSD into an NT/Linux house. *

Installing an ftp server – getting FreeBSD into an NT/Linux house. *

This article isn’t finished yet.

This article talks about how I installed an ftp
server at a site.  They didn’t have an ftp server and this was the first FreeBSD box
at their site.  Previously, then ran only Linux (RedHat I think) and NT.

As you can see, there’s not much written down here yet.  That’s because the work
doesn’t actually start until next week.  But stay tuned.  If you have any
suggestions, please let me know.

The background

the client in question is a medium-size consultancy which has undergone considerable
growth in the past year.  Large files are often sent to or from a client site.  
Sending large files via email is not always practical.  Some client site impose a
limit on file size (e.g. 2Mb) which make some file transfer impractical.   One
consultant makes regular trips using a ZIP drive to transport files.  An ftp server
would reduce the load on the mail server and allow files of a large size to transferred
automatically.

The requirements

Unfortunately, the requirements are quite hazy at the moment.  This topic came up
on Friday night over drinks.  Several disjointed conversations ensued and I’m not
quite sure what they want.  I mentioned that the incoming directory would be read
only.  Anything could be sent to the server via anonymous ftp.  I mentioned that
employees would be given a login through which they could access the files in the incoming
directory.

I’m not really sure how we’re going to do that.

Someone mentioned having the ftp server outside the firewall.  That’s confusing to
me.

One thing is for sure, no telnet access to this server.  ssh only.  I’m not
sure how secure they want the files to be.  My guess is they should use ssh for the
ftp.  Which means giving a logon to each employee that needs access.  Security
versus ease-of-use.  They’ll have to decide which they want.

Things have stalled

6 Nov = It’s stopped.  Everthing.  Not sure why.  I think it’s
hardware.

11 Nov = Well, I’ve pushed ahead with the creation of a box regardless of the
politics.   I’ve put together a box with two IDE drives.  I installed the
following using the articles indicated:

Port

Location

More information

apache  

/usr/ports/www/apache13

installing www server (apache)

proftpd  

/usr/ports/ftp/proftpd

installing an alternative ftp daemon – proftpd

bash  

/usr/ports/shells/bash2

Changing the shell (bash)

cvsup-bin  

/usr/ports/net/cvsup-bin

Installing cvsupd

cgi script

http://www.cgi-resources.com/Programs_and_Scripts/Perl/

upload files via http

Everything is configured and ready to go.

All I need to do is transfer the box, set the hostname, and give it an IP address.
  And it’ll be ready to go.

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