How to Install and Configure Serv-U FTP Server on Linux RHEL 8

In the world of file transfer protocols, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) remains a reliable and widely used method for transferring files between servers and clients. For users operating on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 8 platform, Serv-U FTP Server offers a robust solution for managing file transfers securely. In this guide, we'll walk through the process of installing and configuring Serv-U FTP Server on a Linux RHEL 8 system.

Step 1: Prerequisites
Before we begin, ensure that your RHEL 8 system is up-to-date. Open a terminal and run the following commands:

sudo dnf update

Step 2: Download and Extract Serv-U FTP Server
Visit the official Serv-U FTP Server download page and obtain the latest version. Once downloaded, extract the archive using the following commands:

tar -xzvf serv-u-<version>.tar.gz
cd serv-u-<version>

Step 3: Install Serv-U FTP Server
Proceed with the installation by running the installation script:

sudo ./install_servu

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. You may be prompted to provide specific configuration details during the installation.

Step 4: Start the Serv-U Service
Once installed, start the Serv-U service using the following command:

sudo systemctl start serv-u

To ensure the service starts automatically on system boot, enable it with:

sudo systemctl enable serv-u

Step 5: Configure Serv-U FTP Server
Navigate to the Serv-U configuration directory:

cd /etc/serv-u

Edit the configuration file using your preferred text editor. For example:

sudo nano serv-u.conf

Configure server settings such as port, user authentication, and file paths according to your requirements.

Step 6: Restart Serv-U Service
After making changes to the configuration, restart the Serv-U service to apply the updates:

sudo systemctl restart serv-u

Additional Tips:

• User Management:
  Manage users with the serv-u-user command. For example, to add a new user:

  sudo serv-u-user -add -name <username> -password <password> -home <directory>
  

• View Server Status:
  Check the status of the Serv-U server using:

  sudo serv-u-status
  

• Firewall Configuration:
  Ensure that the firewall allows traffic on the Serv-U port (default is 21). Adjust your firewall rules accordingly:

  sudo firewall-cmd --add-port=21/tcp --permanent
  sudo firewall-cmd --reload
  

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and configured Serv-U FTP Server on your Linux RHEL 8 system. This powerful FTP server is now ready to facilitate secure and efficient file transfers. Should you encounter any issues, refer to the official Serv-U documentation for detailed troubleshooting.