Setting up an ftp server

How can I set up an ftp server with Tiger so that friends or family can log in to it and download files from specific folders inside my macbook?

 

Check out PureFTPd Manager. It's really easy to setup and it's freeware.

The site also offers good Support Documentation.

 

I have that, but i just cant get it to work... i have a wireless router at home, 2 laptops with wifi and 1 desktop pc through ethernet. Pureftp shows my ext ip address, but i cant connect to it, even though the server is running. When I put my macbook's internal ip instead of the ext ip (which i guess is at the router) it mounts the drive.

im clueless...

 

All I did was follow the Setup Assistant to create an Anonymous account. Then I clicked Start and used the Server IP address (xx.xxx.xxx.xx) to connect via Finder --> Go --> Connect to Server --> ftp://xx.xxx.xxx.xx on another Mac. Or you can use an FTP Client like CyberDuck.

You mentioned that you have PCs too. There are far better FTP Servers for Windows. I recommend Serv-U FTP Server. Serv-U is not free .

 

I got into my router's setup and port-fwded to my laptop, and pureftp shows the user logged on, but finder tries to connect, mounts the drive, but loses connection. Oh well, I'll just use one of my windows pc's. Good idea Xander. Thanks for the help

 

Bah, it probably has something to do with my router. I set up bulletproof ftp server on windows, which i am used to using, and i got the same error. So i changed port fwding settings again with my router settings to the desktop pc's internal ip, which showed me logged on inside the ftp server program, but the browser just stays there connecting, nothing else happens. Am i missing something here? I remember it was so easy before because i had no router, just one desktop computer directly connected to the internet through a cable modem. Please help

 

Ok if i try to log on with the external ip on my mac, i can mount the drive fine, except i cant see its contents. Other than that everything is working fine, except the fact that i cant see whats in the folder. I didnt do anything, just tried accessing the server with the mac instead of windows.

 

Did you also lose the wireless connection or just the ftp server?

I have no clue! There are just too many variables to consider when troubleshooting networking issues. Keep trying and I'm sure you'll be able to figure this out, if you haven't already . Just always make sure your internet connection is working on both computers after you change settings (open a browser and try to load a website). If you can't connect to the internet, you can't connect to an ftp server.

Are you talking about BulletProof FTP Server or PureFTPd Manager here?

I have never used BulletProof, but I wanted to point something out about PureFTPd. The default settings will create new directories on your hard drive for ftp sharing (Users/ftp). So you will either need to move files to those directories or change the directory. Otherwise your ftp share directory will be empty.

If you're still having trouble you should consider creating another thread in the Networking & Wireless Forum.

 

Yeah thanks xander, I actually haven't solved the issue yet. Apparently when you try to use ftp behind routers or NAT's, a plethora of networking issues appear, which much to my dismay, is my case. So I'm gonna let it go for now.

I'll try the other board next time.