FileZilla basic configuration

This page covers creating, deleting and modifying FileZilla Server user accounts although written specificity for Uniform Server the same principals apply equally to a standard installation of FileZilla.

Run FileZilla - Portable mode

To configure The FileZilla server always run the server in portable mode. If the server is currently running as a service stop and uninstall the FileZilla service as follows:

Stop and uninstall service

• Navigate to the folder \fz_server\fz_portable
• Locate file zilla_service_stop.bat
• Windows XP: Double click on file zilla_service_stop.bat
• Or Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8
• Require enhanced administration rights:
• rightclick on file zilla_service_start.bat select zilla_service_stop.bat
• Displays "Service stopped and uninstalled" press any key, closes command window.

Start Portable FileZilla and administration Interface

Run FZ Controller: Navigate to the folder \fz_server. Locate the file UniFzController.exe and double click. Opens UniServer FileZilla Controller shown on the right. A) Run FileZilla Server: Click Start FZ Server button runs server in background. B) Run FileZilla Interface: Click Sart Interface button. Opens the FileZilla administration Interface.

FileZilla Admin Interface Sections

The admin interface provides access to three server sections setting, users and groups. Two methods are available to select these, either via the drop down menu or the top row of icons.

A) Settings: dropdown menu B) Users: dropdown menu C) Groups: dropdown menu

A1) Settings: Top row icon B1) Users: Top row icon C1) Groups: Top row icon

Delete a User

If you wish you can delete the pre-configured user. The following shows how to delete any user. B) Select Users Edit > Users D) Select User to delete (ensure user is highlighted) E) Click Remove button. Deletes selected user. Note: Although you can delete the pre-configured user it is recommended to leave it. Once the password has been changed it is save to use.

Add a User

To add a new user we first create a new user and set a password. Create a user: B) Select Users Edit > Users F) Select menu item General note selected by default G) Click Add button. The Add user account pop-up displayed H) Enter a new user name. I) Click OK button, pop-up closes. J) Click Enable account check box - selected by default K) Click Password check box L) Enter a password for that user.

After creating a user you must assign a home folder (directory) to that user. Assign a folder to user: M) Click Shared folders N) Ensure required user is selected O) Click Add button. In the pop-up window select a folder to share. P) The folder selected is displayed. To the left of this make sure “H” is displayed Q) If not clcik Set as home dir R) Select file privileges you wish to allow S) Select directory privileges you wish to allow T) Click OK button to finish.

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 you entered in step L) above.
• A page is displayed showing files and folders contained in your shared folder P).

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.

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
• To test FTP access use: Gene6 FTP Server Test, its free for anyone to use.

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.

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.

FTP Clients

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