I have a Cobalt Qube3 which I intend to use as an FTP server for our small company here in Seattle. It uses a variant of FreeBSD with Linux Kernel 2.2 (if memory serves).

I would like to use vsftpd as my FTP server program, but I need to figure out a way to allow virtual users for access to their own FTP directories on the box. There will not need to be anonymous access. From what I understand, I need PAM to do the virtual user authentication.

In essence, I need to know if I can install PAM on the Qube3 appliance. I'm new to Linux, so please excuse me if I don't seem very lucid.

Uh, are you using FreeBSD or Linux?

These aren't the same operating system.

What does the command "uname -a" spit out?

I'm using FreeBSD. Thanks for clarifying. I'll have to take a look at what that command spits out when I get back home to where the appliance is.

Okay, you do not need to install PAM. It is part of the base system. You can find all the files relating to it in /etc/pam.d/

You probably will want to read the file README in that directory if you plan on making any changes. Now, you want people to log in and be brought to their home directory? Or do you want people to log in and only have access to their home directory?

I am going to want people to only have access to their own virtual directory and not "see" any of the other directories. They should be able to have complete control over the directory except they shouldn't be able to delete their own directory.

On closer examination I realize that the OS is infact LINUX
I'm sorry I haven't been accurate. After entering in "uname -a" I get:
Linux myserver.mydomain 2.2.16C35_III #1 Fri Nov 19 13:46:34 PST 2004 i586 unknown

It doesn't matter that much. The proceedure is still similar -- although I am unsure how Linux does PAM. Your best bet would be to try and install it and see how it works.

I know that vsftpd has an option that chroots everyone into their home directory. I also know that FreeBSD has some protection for breaking out of chroot jails while I _believe_ linux doesn't. I can't speak 100% for Linux though.

Install it and play around. If you find that it just refuses to work... you might want to post an updated question in Linux-general or something.

Thanks for your help. I appreciate it. Do you happen to know where I can get PAM that is compatible with Linux Kernel 2.2? If not, I'll go post where I should have in the first place.