In this lesson the student will install, configure and administer an ftp server using the vsftpd package.  This package comes with RedHat 9.0.

FTP Server

The setup process for the vsftp server is very straight forward.   This is covered in Chapter 20 of your textbook on pages 751-757.   It is recommended that you refer to this or your instructor whenever questions occur.

• Main Menu --> System Tools --> Add/Remove Packages
  
• Select the vsftpd server and install it.
  
• This FTP server is a bit easier to configure than the wu-ftpd version.  The xinetd super daemon is not linked to vstftp, hence it doesn't require additional configuration steps.
• A configuration file must be edited to configure this server.
• The file is /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf
• Review the file and setup the following capabilities
• anonymous capability should be enabled.
• local accesss should be enabled.
• ascii download should be enabled.
• If you want to permit uploading this should be done through special accounts other than anonymous.
• Assure that the proper switches are set in the vsftpd.conf file for this.  Refer to the textbook for suggestions.
• Add a .message file as explained on page 756 of the textbook.
• Set a banner according to the proper parameter on page 756.
• Verify the following characteristics of your ftp server.
• Anonymous accounts can login and obtain access to the /var/ftp/pub directory.
• A ftp account other than anonymous can login and upload to the server.
• A download can be conducted from an anonymous login and the ftp account.
• Refer to steps on page 756 to activate logging in your vsftp server.  Conduct a login and an upload and/or download to see the response in the log file.