Hello all!

I'm a relative Linux newb, and I have a client who is looking for some advice, so here I am.

The client currently has a Windows network, and uses Fox Pro for all of their programming needs. They have an FTP server running Windows 2k3 with IPSwitch FTP program installed that customers log into to access their content of personal files created. He would like to move to the server to Linux.

I know enough to setup the server (using Fedora) and install a web server and FTP server, limit SSH access, etc.

My questions are:

- How difficult is it to set it up so the program copies the personal files to the correct folder with the correct perms?
- When adding the ftp users, can/should you assign them to an FTP group?
- Will there be issues copying from the Windows machine to the Linux server?

Each client has their own username and password, and only see their specific files. I'm assuming we could use Samba so Windows can access the folders.

Any feedback or direction would be GREATLY appreciated!

TIA!

Joel

What "program" ? What "correct folder" ? What "correct perms" ? What is "correct" for you ?
This depends on your security policies.
Maybe, maybe not. Again it depends on your security policy.
Copying files is easy. Assigning permissions and access rights is more complicated.
Welcome to linux.

So you "have a client", who you are no doubt charging for your expertise, and you expect us to tell you what to do without providing any useful information?

Dream on

I would start by NOT using Fedora for a server, it's too much of a moving target with a very short distro lifespan. CentOS would be a better choice if you want a Redhat based distro.

Then I wold suggest searching howtoforge,com for some FTP server setup guides.

My bill is in the mail

I'm not sure I would have answered as tersely. There are many ways to copy files and data between Windows and Linux. If you have a Fedora box set up, I would examine setting up SAMBA. When a Linux machine is running it, a partition can be mounted using standard Windows mapping of a network drive. Files could be dragged or copied using normal Windows actions. Linux has fine security which will probably meet your needs. If standard security is not enough for you, you could use SElinux which has enhanced security.

For a proper server like that, I agree, Fedora is too short-lived (version-wise). Use Centos (or RedHat if you want paid support).
Here's the manual: http://www.linuxtopia.org/online_boo...ion/index.html
See chap 22 for FTP.

Thanks for the replies.

The "client" is a web client that I was doing some PHP/MySQL work for (which is what I normally do). He asked me some questions, and expressed interest in moving to Linux. I wasn't looking for a hand-out, per say, just some general info. I can see why it looked like I was.

I don't have much experience with CentOS, but I'll grab it and install it. Seems like it's fairly what I am used to with Fedora.

I was looking at Samba, as it's what I use for myself. I'll read up more on the perms and copying files.

Thanks again!

Yeah, it sounds like you want Samba ie to store/use user's files on the Linux Server. You should only use FTP for file txfr, not storage.