NEWBIE-MINI-HOW-TO: Install and set up proftpd (an ftp server)

SEARCH KEYWORDS: proftpd, newbie, total newbie, no really - clueless, ftp

BACKGROUND: So are you new to LinuxPPC and interested in some confidence
building exercises?  If so, this NEWBIE-MINI-HOW-TO is for you!  By default
(?), only telnet services are enabled in LinuxPPC 2k.  To allow ftp access to
your box you will need to install and run an ftp server.  The following
instructions cover downloading an ftp server (proftpd) as an RPM (Red-Hat
Package Manager) file, installing the server, and running it.  In addition to
getting an ftp server, you get some experience with handling RPM files and
deamons.  All steps below were completed while logged in as root.

STEPS:

(1) Download the proftpd RPM from ftp.linuxppc.org:

        ftp ftp.linuxppc.org/linuxppc-2000/software/proftpd-1.2.0pre9-1a.ppc.rpm
        (this will require an anonymous log in)


(2) Install the RPM:

        rpm -ivh /path/to/package/packagename.ppc.rpm
        (in my case this was: rpm -ivh /home/root/proftpd-1.2.0pre9-1a.ppc.rpm)


(3) Just for heck of it, check out the configuration file to give you some idea
of how it is structured and how to alter the server's behavior if needed:

        more /etc/proftpd.conf  


(4) Modify the default services on your machine to include ftp.  Using vi or
pico (or some other text editor of choice), edit:

        /etc/inetd.conf

        to remove the comment mark (#) on the line beginning with "ftp".  
        This will enable ftp services when inetd is restarted.


(5) Force inetd to restart:

        killall -HUP inetd


(6) Voila!  If your networking is properly configured, you should be able to
ftp into your home directory from a remote machine (via fetch, etc.).


*NOTE: This version of proftpd is likely out-of-date even at this writing.
If you must have the latest/greatest/most secure version - you will need to
get a current RPM or compile from current source.