FTP....

jescab

How would one go about setting up an FTP server? The user has Win XP. The steps in doing this would be greatly appreciated.

Installing IIS is not an answer because you don't tell the person how to set-up and configure IIS.

johnnynodough

I use ServU FTP (not free), works prety good. So first you need an FTP server app, there are plenty of free ones out there, but the security and features will be according to the price. Establish the software and configurations, open up forwarding for TCP 20 and 21 on the NAT/Firewall device (if so equipped) and your off and running.

jescab

Suppose they have servu installed and configured. They have port 20 & 21 forwarded to the machine that has the ftp set up on. So now when they go to a friends house and use their computer how do they connect to their ftp? What do they type? Which IP address do they use? The internal IP from the router (192.168.x.xx) or the external IP (the IP from the ISP)?

johnnynodough

The public IP is the only thing accessible on the internet, the device on the public IP will forward the traffic to the private IP specified by the port forwarding configuration. So using an application (FTP Client) will send a request to the public IP address requesting access to an application running TCP 20 and 21, the NAT/Firewall (if so equipped) will see the request for access to x.x.x.x port 20 (control port is established first) and will forward that data to the box running the ftp service.

Of course, if you just plugged a box directly to your ISP with a public address and you could circumvent the port forwarding strategy, but some kid will have you hacked within 30 seconds.