Setting up an FTP Server on CentOS 8

Setting up an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server on CentOS 8 is a fundamental skill for system administrators and users looking to efficiently share and transfer files over a network. FTP provides a secure and reliable means of transmitting files, making it an essential component of many networked environments. In this guide, we will walk through the step-by-step process of setting up an FTP server on CentOS 8, empowering you to streamline file transfers within your network.

Prerequisites:

Before diving into the installation and configuration, ensure that you have:

1. CentOS 8 Server: A dedicated server or virtual machine running CentOS 8.
2. Root or Sudo Access: Access to the server with root or sudo privileges.

Step 1: Update System Packages

Always start by ensuring that your system is up-to-date. Open a terminal and execute the following commands:

sudo dnf update

Step 2: Install vsftpd

To set up the FTP server, we will use vsftpd (Very Secure FTP Daemon), a lightweight and secure FTP server for Unix-like systems. Install it with:

sudo dnf install vsftpd

Step 3: Start and Enable vsftpd

Once installed, start the vsftpd service and enable it to start on boot:

sudo systemctl start vsftpd
sudo systemctl enable vsftpd

Step 4: Configure Firewall

Allow FTP traffic through the firewall:

sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=ftp
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Step 5: Create a User for FTP Access

Create a dedicated user for FTP access. Replace ftpuser with your desired username:

sudo adduser ftpuser

Step 6: Set Password for the FTP User

Set a password for the newly created user:

sudo passwd ftpuser

Step 7: Configure vsftpd

Edit the vsftpd configuration file to customize settings:

sudo nano /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf

Ensure the following lines are uncommented:

anonymous_enable=NO
local_enable=YES
write_enable=YES
chroot_local_user=YES

Save and exit the editor.

Step 8: Restart vsftpd

Restart the vsftpd service to apply the changes:

sudo systemctl restart vsftpd

Step 9: Test FTP Connection

Use an FTP client like FileZilla to connect to your server using the FTP user credentials created earlier. Confirm a successful connection.

Congratulations! You've successfully set up an FTP server on CentOS 8.

Additional Tips:

• Creating Virtual Users: Explore the use of virtual users for added security.
• FTP Encryption: Implement FTP over TLS for secure file transfers.