Difference between revisions of "FileZilla FTP Server"

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'''FileZilla Server''' is a simple and efficient file transfer protocol (FTP) server program for use in most versions of Windows (NT, 2000, and XP).  It also supports compression, secure connections, and both speed and user limits.  Hardware requirements are extremely low, requiring only a Pentium-level machine, and taking up only 3.4 megs of system memory (the interface requires 6 megs but may be turned off when not in use).
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FileZilla Server is a server that supports '''FTP''' and '''FTP over TLS''' which provides secure encrypted connections to the server.
  
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It is ''strongly recommended'' you have at least a DSL or Cable connection to run any FTP Server.
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Support for [https://filezillapro.com/docs/v3/faq/what-is-sftp/ SFTP] (SSH File Transfer Protocol) is available only in [https://filezillapro.com/server/ FileZilla Pro Enterprise Server]
  
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=== Why an FTP server? ===
 
  
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FTP Servers allow for remote file retrieval and management, downloading large files gradually, and often higher speeds than other software. Improving over regular Windows Sharing, large numbers of files transferring do not cease when only one file will not copy (good for data backups).  FTP servers are enormously flexible and can be configured for remote file access, workgroups, and anonymous file distribution.
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[https://filezilla-project.org/download.php?show_all=1&type=server Download FileZilla Server]
  
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Accessing almost any FTP server is extremely easy, as almost every computer built after around 1995 has an FTP client that can connect to it.
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==See also==
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[[Network Configuration]], [[Command-line arguments (Server)]]
  
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=== Why use FileZilla's Server? ===
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==Installation and Setup - Windows==
  
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FileZilla Server is extremely easy to use, has many security features, and low ($0) price tag.  Donations are welcome but not required.  Also, the software's internals are available to anyone and are licensed with the same open source license used by Linux (the GPL).
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[https://store.filezillapro.com/order/checkout.php?PRODS=38968422&QTY=1&CART=1&CARD=2&CLEAN_CART=1&SHORT_FORM=1&DESIGN_TYPE=2&ORDERSTYLE=nLWw5JXfqnQ= FileZilla Server manual is now available to purchase]
  
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=== Features ===
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* Prerequisites: 25MB of space free on your drive and administrator privileges.   
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* Download FileZilla Server from FileZilla website
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* Locate the installer in your download folder and run it
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* Confirm you allow FileZilla Server to make changes to your device   
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* Accept the [https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl-3.0.en.html AGPL license] terms, the terms under which FileZilla Server is offered
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*  Select what to install (Server, Admin interface, desktop icons, shortcuts)
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*  To decide where to install by clicking Browse, otherwise click Next
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*  To add the icons for FileZilla Server choose a Start menu folder or create one
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*  FileZilla Server is installed as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_service Windows Service], you can start it manually if you want
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* Set the port on which FileZilla Server will listen to connections from the Admin interface
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*  Choose a password and enter it twice to confirm it
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*  By default the Admin interface will start up automatically, you can deselect that option
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*  The installation is complete, now you can start configuring FileZilla Server
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*  Create a user and/or group with permissions to one or more mount point (mount points include a virtual path and a native path)               
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*  You can now use FileZilla Server, select ‘Configure’ menu item to set other elements
  
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* Easy to use - similar in design to bulletproof FTP
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== Setup on Windows with built-in firewall ==
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* Speed limits - prevents saturation of bandwidth
 
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* Compression - increase the speed of transfers via MODE Z on-the-fly compression
 
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* Encryption - keep important data confidential using the same technologies your web browser uses.  Known as FTP over SSL/TLS or FTPS.
 
  
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[http://sourceforge.net/docman/display_doc.php?docid=24747&group_id=21558 FileZilla Server FAQ]
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After installation, make sure FileZilla Server is registered as an allowed program to the built-in firewall's allowed programs. In the Control Panel, select System and Security. In the Windows Firewall section, choose 'Allowed Programs' to open configuration window. Check '''both''' private and public network selection for "FileZilla Server" (Not "FileZilla Server Interface". If "FileZilla Server" is not listed, remember to add "C:\Program Files\FileZilla Server\FileZilla server.exe" or wherever it is installed). If private network is not selected, the incoming FTP connection would be blocked.
  
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== Recommendations ==
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== Wizard ==
  
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'''Note of Caution:'''  Running a remote access server can invite outside interference.  It is recommended that users research this operation and understand the problems that can occur when you run any computer server that is accessible from the Internet.  Users not familiar with this process should restrict the server to only local connections (see below):
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To simplify the network configuration process FileZilla Server provides a wizard that can be started from the Administration interface by selecting Server › Start a guided configuration of the network menu item. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully, as you’ll need to properly configure any router and firewall you might have.
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The wizard dialog window asks you to set the range of ports, then you need to set on the NAT device the appropriate port forwarding rules accordingly.
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=== Restricting your server to local access ===
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FileZilla Server's wizard then asks you to set either the public IP or its hostname.  
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Eventually all the settings are shown in the final dialog window, check them and if you wish use our online [https://ftptest.net FTP client tester] to check if everything works.
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Most routers hide your FTP server from the outside world but this is another preventative step:
 
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# From the menu, select "Server" -- "Settings".
 
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# Under "General settings", select "IP filter"
 
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# In the first box, type an asterisk "*" (no quotes)
 
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# In the second box, type your local address.  This should be "192.168.1.*" (no quotes) but different routers will use different numbers, usually "192.168.0.*" or "192.168.2.*".
 
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=== Making your server remote-accessible ===
 
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To connect to your home computer, you must enable an intermediary service.  Most DSL or cable customers are protected from the outside world by several barriers.  Talk to your provider about a static IP or look into services such as http://www.dyndns.org and http://www.no-ip.com (or [http://www.technopagan.org/dynamic/ other providers]).  Use a guide [http://www.no-ip.com/support/guides/other/using_cable_dsl_router.html like this] to help with setting up your DSL/Cable router.  Look for "The Demilitarized Zone" in your router documentation and put your server's IP there.
 
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=== Restricting Administrative Access ===
 
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Under the "Edit menu" select  "Settings" -- "admin interface settings," and look at the box labeled "select IP addresses which are allowed to interface."
 
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Here, enter your local IP address, which will probably be "192.168.1.*" (do not include the quotes).  Some routers use "192.168.0.*" or "192.168.2.*".  Check your router documentation or open a Command Prompt window and type "IPCONFIG."  The asterisk is a wildcard that means any computer connected directly to your router can administer the server.
 
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Alternately (or additionally for increased security), you may also add a password.  In the same window, check the "Change admin password" box and enter (and re-type in the next box) your password.  For security, it should be as long as possible, but is required to be above 6 characters.
 
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=== Speed limits ===
 
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Download and upload speed limits are important to prevent your server from overloading your Internet connection.  Under the options menu, under "speed limits," enter a constant speed limit that is below your maximum speed.  Many cable customers will have around 50k download speed limit, and 200k upload limit (realizing that sounds backwards).  In this case, you will wish to set a constant speed limit of around 30k download and 100k upload.  This should prevent your server from interfering with your regular Internet usage.
 
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Individual user accounts may be set to bypass any speed limits which is useful for local connections on the same router, described under "Setting up users" below.  Additionally, under "Filetransfer compression," check the box next to "Exclude private IP address ranges", and enter the same "192.168.1.*" in the box below it.
 
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=== Setting up encryption ===
 
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Under SSL/TLS settings, check "Enable SSL/TSS support" box and click the "Generate new certificate" box at the bottom of the page.  The computer will ask where to place a certificate, and then generate one.  It is recommended to click the box next to "allow explicit SSL/TLS on normal connections."  This will allow the flexibility to have some users use encryption for secure transfers, while others may avoid using the extra processor speed and slower transfer rates.
 
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=== Setting up users ===
 
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User settings are fairly intuitive but here are some loose suggestions:
 
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* '''Local Use''' - in order to keep connection speeds high between your server and local computers, it is important to turn off all compression, encryption, and speed limits.
 
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* '''Remote Use''' - to best protect your data, encryption and compression should be used together.  To increase transfer speed, simply use compression.
 
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* '''Untrusted Users''' - you may restrict access to specific folders, write permissions, the capability to delete data, and much more.  You may also require users to use encryption to prevent eavesdropping.
 
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* '''Groups of users''' - if you are enabling your server for a large number of people, it helps to create a user group of default settings.  Usually, you should include a restriction on the total number of users and on the speed limit of individual connections.  This will prevent bottlenecking.
 
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=== Enterprise file servers ===
 
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FileZilla Server is probably not suited for high security or large-scale operations.  It is not recommended for use with government or for transferring highly sensitive information. As described in the license distributed with every copy of FileZilla or FileZilla Server, there is no warranty for this software.  It is however probably much more secure than Windows networking alone.
 

Latest revision as of 19:17, 6 March 2024

FileZilla Server is a server that supports FTP and FTP over TLS which provides secure encrypted connections to the server.

Support for SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) is available only in FileZilla Pro Enterprise Server


Download FileZilla Server

See also

Network Configuration, Command-line arguments (Server)

Installation and Setup - Windows

FileZilla Server manual is now available to purchase

  • Prerequisites: 25MB of space free on your drive and administrator privileges.
  • Download FileZilla Server from FileZilla website
  • Locate the installer in your download folder and run it
  • Confirm you allow FileZilla Server to make changes to your device
  • Accept the AGPL license terms, the terms under which FileZilla Server is offered
  • Select what to install (Server, Admin interface, desktop icons, shortcuts)
  • To decide where to install by clicking Browse, otherwise click Next
  • To add the icons for FileZilla Server choose a Start menu folder or create one
  • FileZilla Server is installed as a Windows Service, you can start it manually if you want
  • Set the port on which FileZilla Server will listen to connections from the Admin interface
  • Choose a password and enter it twice to confirm it
  • By default the Admin interface will start up automatically, you can deselect that option
  • The installation is complete, now you can start configuring FileZilla Server
  • Create a user and/or group with permissions to one or more mount point (mount points include a virtual path and a native path)
  • You can now use FileZilla Server, select ‘Configure’ menu item to set other elements

Setup on Windows with built-in firewall

After installation, make sure FileZilla Server is registered as an allowed program to the built-in firewall's allowed programs. In the Control Panel, select System and Security. In the Windows Firewall section, choose 'Allowed Programs' to open configuration window. Check both private and public network selection for "FileZilla Server" (Not "FileZilla Server Interface". If "FileZilla Server" is not listed, remember to add "C:\Program Files\FileZilla Server\FileZilla server.exe" or wherever it is installed). If private network is not selected, the incoming FTP connection would be blocked.

Wizard

To simplify the network configuration process FileZilla Server provides a wizard that can be started from the Administration interface by selecting Server › Start a guided configuration of the network menu item. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully, as you’ll need to properly configure any router and firewall you might have. The wizard dialog window asks you to set the range of ports, then you need to set on the NAT device the appropriate port forwarding rules accordingly. FileZilla Server's wizard then asks you to set either the public IP or its hostname. Eventually all the settings are shown in the final dialog window, check them and if you wish use our online FTP client tester to check if everything works.

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