Configure FTP Server on CentOS: Step-by-Step Guide

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a standard network protocol used for transferring files from one host to another over a TCP-based network, such as the Internet.
FTP is widely used to upload, download, and manage files on remote servers.
Here’s a detailed overview of FTP, including its workings, types, security, and usage.

Overview of FTP

Purpose: FTP is designed to facilitate file transfer and management, allowing users to share files across different computers and platforms.
Client-Server Model: FTP follows a client-server architecture where:
- FTP Client: The software used by a user to send and receive files.
- FTP Server: The server that stores files and handles requests from clients.

How FTP Works

Connection Establishment

FTP operates over two separate connections:
1. Control Connection: Used for sending commands and receiving responses. It typically operates on TCP port 21.
2. Data Connection: Used for transferring files. This can operate on various ports, depending on the mode (active or passive).

Common FTP Commands

Here are some commonly used FTP commands:

Command	Description
`USER`	Specify the username for authentication.
`PASS`	Specify the password for authentication.
`LIST`	List files and directories in the current directory.
`RETR`	Retrieve (download) a file from the server.
`STOR`	Upload a file to the server.
`DELE`	Delete a file on the server.
`PWD`	Print the current working directory.
`CWD`	Change the working directory on the server.

FTP Clients and Servers

FTP Clients

FTP clients are software applications that allow users to interact with FTP servers. Some popular FTP clients include:

FileZilla: A widely used cross-platform FTP client with a graphical user interface.
WinSCP: A Windows-based client that supports FTP, SFTP, and SCP protocols.
Cyberduck: A user-friendly FTP client available for macOS and Windows.

FTP Servers

FTP servers are software applications that run on a server to facilitate file transfers. Some popular FTP server software includes:

vsftpd (Very Secure FTP Daemon): A secure and high-performance FTP server for UNIX-like systems.
ProFTPD: An FTP server that offers extensive configuration options and modules.
Pure-FTPd: A free (BSD) FTP server that is easy to configure and secure.

Common Use Cases for FTP

Website Management: FTP is commonly used by web developers to upload and manage files on web servers.
Data Backup: Organizations use FTP to back up important files to remote servers.
File Sharing: FTP provides a simple way for users to share large files across different systems.

How to Use FTP

Connecting to an FTP Server

To connect to an FTP server, you can use either a command-line interface or a graphical FTP client.

Command-Line Example:

Open a terminal and type:
```
 ftp <ftp_server_address>
```

Step By Step ftp server configuration in Centos

Configuring an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server on CentOS allows users to transfer files to and from a server over a network. Below is a step-by-step guide to setting up an FTP server using vsftpd (Very Secure FTP Daemon), which is a popular and secure FTP server for Linux.

Step 1: Install vsftpd

First, install the vsftpd package on your CentOS system.

Open a terminal and update your package manager:
```
 sudo yum update
```
Install vsftpd:
```
 sudo yum install vsftpd
```

Step 2: Start and Enable the vsftpd Service

Start the vsftpd service:
```
 sudo systemctl start vsftpd
```
Enable vsftpd to start on boot:
```
 sudo systemctl enable vsftpd
```
Check the status of the vsftpd service:
```
 sudo systemctl status vsftpd
```

Step 3: Configure vsftpd

Open the configuration file:
```
 sudo etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf
```

4: Perform This Commands

ip a
ftp 10.0.2.15
Is
mkdir Aditya
ls
exit

Outputs:

Conclusion

You now have a basic FTP server running on your CentOS system using vsftpd. You can customize the configuration further based on your needs and security considerations. If you have specific requirements or encounter issues, feel free to ask for further assistance!

Step-by-Step Guide to Configuring an FTP Server on CentOS

Day 8 : How to Configure an FTP Server on CentOS