I've searched around the forums, but can't seem to find the simple answer to this question...

I'm trying to set up an anonymous ftp.. I thought it was just a matter of rpm -i'ing the anonftp* from the RedHat CD, but eveidenltly I'm not doing something right.

I've installed the rpms for wuftp, anonftp, and even installed proftp (completely unnecessary, I'm sure), but I still get

> ftp: connect :Connection refused

when I try to ftp to the machine from another - the message comes up before it even gets to a username or password request.

what's going on? Do I need to start an ftp deamon somehow?

Also, for anonymous ftp, I was reading that there needs to be a user account of some sort for the anonymous user. Does this get setup automatically by installing the anonftp rpm? If not, do I need to add a user? if so, for anonymous ftp, what is the user name "anonymous" "ftp"? what special things do I need to do for this account (if I even need to make it)?

I'm really green when it comes to ftp servers and user accounts in Linux. Thanks for the help.

ProFTPd can either be run in standalone or inetd mode. You'll need to check the config file to see which the default installation chooses.

As for your question about anonymous FTP, you need to read the documentation - all these queries are answered there. This is a help forum, not a homework forum

Regards

I was hoping this was a save time forum, not a smart ass forum. I'm not an admin, and don't care to know everything about the service, I just want it to work. reading man page after man page takes valuable time away from developing software, which is what pays my bills.

he he...

Well, you only need one package, so take your pick, (wuftpd, proftpd, whatever)

sounds like you installed some servers so you just need to start one! have a look i

n the /etc/inetd.conf files and put this line in...

ftp stream tcp nowait root /usr/sbin/tcpd in.ftpd -a

now restart inetd and your server should be running! try to connect to it with the command "ftp localhost" it should give you the ftp servers welcome. (that can be changed!) rather than connection refused.

just make sure that in.ftpd in the correct server, though if you installed all these other ones then in.ftpd is bound to be there the -a option indicated that the server should be configured via the /etc/ftpaccess file.

you can check out the config options with man ftpaccess. I know you dont want to read man pages but you'll have to in order to configure the server the way you want. If you only want anonymous access then that makes things a bit easier, basically your ftpaccess file should look somthing like this... (this is an EXAMPLE! I dont know how well it will work for you!)

class anon anonymous *
upload * /pub/icoming yes ftpadmin ftpadmin

path-filter anonymous /opt2/ftp/msgs/path.msg ^[-A-Za-z0-9._:space:]*$ ^\. ^-

chmod no anonymous
delete no anonymous
overwrite no anonymous
rename no anonymous
umask no anonymous

log commands anonymous
log transfers anonymous inbound,outbound
log security anonymous

Mines alot longer but this should get you under way. BTW man pages are your friend! Learn to read the man pages! they can take some getting used to, but in the long run they will free time more time than they use

I'm using wuftpd, just to let you know...