What is File Transfer Protocol (FTP) & How to configure it ?

Introduction

FTP is an acronym for File Transfer Protocol, the protocol for exchanging files over the Internet. It is a utility program which is commonly used for copying files to and from other computers. These computers may be at the same site or at different sites thousands of miles apart. 

FTP works in the same way as HTTP for transferring Web pages from a server to a user's browser and SMTP for transferring electronic mail across the Internet in that, like these technologies, FTP uses the Internet's TCP/IP protocols to enable data transfer.

FTP is most commonly used to download a file from a server using the Internet or to upload a file to a server (e.g., uploading a Web page file to a server).

How to configure FTP on Windows Server 2008

Step 1 : Install Role Web Server (IIS)

Go to Server Manager

Select Roles

Click Add Roles (Right Side of the screen) -> Next

Select Web Server (IIS) -> Add Required Features -> Next -> Next

Scroll Down and select FTP Publishing Services -> Add Required Role Services

Next -> Install -> Close

Step 2 : Configure FTP Service

Start -> Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0 Manager

Expand Node Server (local computer)

Expand Node FTP Sites

Right Click on Default FTP site (Stopped)

Click on Properties

Tab : FTP Sites

Here you have to select the IP Address

Tab : Messages

Here you can specify welcome and exit messages.

Tab :  Home Directory

You can change the Local path of FTP sirte directory (I have kept the defualt)

Import - Check Write and Give OK

Step 3 : Create FTP user / Give a user FTP rights

Create User

Create a user vikram (click here to know how to create a user)

Right Click on vikram

Click Properties

Go to Member of tab

Add -> Advanced -> Find Now

Select IIS_IUSRS

OK -> OK -> Apply -> OK

Give Access Rights to the user on ftproot directory

Go to C:\inetpub

Right Click on ftproot Directory

Click Properties

Go to Security Tab

Click Edit

Add

Advanced

Find Now

Select user Vikram 

OK -> OK

Select Full Control

OK -> OK

Step 4 : Start FTP Service

Start -> Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0 Manager

Expand Node Server (local computer)

Expand Node FTP Sites

Right Click on Default FTP site (Stopped)

Click Start -> OK

Step 5 : Use the FTP Service from Client Machine

Start the client Machine and Access the FTP service.

Click the following links to learn more about each mode of access.

• Accessing FTP Server through command prompt
• Accessing FTP Server using Browser