Hosting a FTP Server on Cable/DSL Routers
by osiris188 (updates81@hotmail.com)
In 19:3, Khoder Bin Hakkin wrote a great article "How to Set Up a Free (Secure!) Web Server at Home" on setting up free web servers. In 20:1, Toby complemented this article with his article "Fun with Hosting on Your Cable/DSL".
Like them, I also decided to set up my own FTP server.
I did it all completely free and with no hassle. My FTP server was set up on Windows 2000 Professional. I'm also going to give a possible solution to the Dynamic DNS problem.
My Hardware: USRobotics broadband router and an Alcatel SpeedTouch home DSL modem.
I built a computer from all free parts that I managed to pick up along the way. It's an AMD Athlon 333 MHz with 192 MB RAM, 10/100 NIC, and a 7.5 gig HD. Nothing special as you can see! But let me tell you I ran Windows 2000 server on this thing no problem.
FTP Software Used: You can download any FTP program. www.webattack.com/freeware/server/fwftpserver.shtml has some good ones. I used GuildFTPD from www.guildftpd.com. It's very easy to use and configure. It also has great IRC tools on it and of course, it's free!
Solving the Dynamic DNS Problem
MyServer.org There, I said it!
You sign up free of course then download the MyServer.org software and run it. Simple as that.
Because your IP on cable/DSL is often dynamic, MyServer constantly updates your IP to translate to the web address you choose. You can set the speed at which you want MyServer.org to check for your new static IP. Keep in mind this is all for Windows. You can configure MyServer.org to be a web host, and for FTP, VNC, pcAnywhere, SMTP, Telnet and IRC. You can also add the MX record. MyServer also gives you the option to open alternate ports in case of ISP port blockage.
Router Configuration
Depending on your ISP your FTP port 21 may be blocked.
My port 21 is not blocked. I'm using a USRobotics four-port broadband router. They go for about $99 Canadian.
All you need is two tabs in the router configuration utility Virtual DMZ Host and Virtual Server.
We'll start with Virtual DMZ Host. You'll see something like IP Address of Virtual DMZ Host then the internal IP address of the box you're on and you check off Enable.
Next step you go into the Virtual Server tab. This is where you set the router to redirect traffic through your desired port to the FTP server.
It looks something like this:
All you have to do is save your settings and logout.
Keep in mind NAT is enabled by default on this type of router. After this, you're all set to go!
Setting up a FTP server was definitely worthwhile. All my software and troubleshooting docs are always available.
Shouts to: My parents, markay26, bergo, jazon, karim, Scottie D, and bookman.