The built-in FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Server is an alternative way to transfer files to/from your router and its attached storage. This menu contains settings to configure that server. It is divided into sections including: FTP Server Configuration, Directories, Limits, Custom Configuration and User Accounts.

Before using FTP, you may want to consider the pros and cons of using it versus the NFS Server (in a *nix environment) or File Sharing via Samba. There are significant differences between them.

Enable FTP Server:

• No - The FTP Server is disabled.
• Yes - The FTP Server is enabled for WAN and LAN users.
• Yes, LAN only - The FTP Server is enabled for LAN users only.

TLS support: Checking this option enables support for TLS-encrypted FTP communications.

FTP Port: Here, specify the port to be used for communications. (Default: TCP 21)

Anonymous User Access:

This lets you choose whether anonymous users are given access to the FTP Server and which file rights they are given.

• Disabled - Anonymous users are not given access.
• Read Write - Anonymous users are given read/write access.
• Read Only - Anonymous users are given read access only.
• Write Only - Anonymous users are given write access only.

Allow Admin Login: Enables your local system administrator account as a user for the FTP service.

Log FTP requests and responses: The FTP Server will save all FTP activity via syslog to “/var/log/messages” including:

• Logons
• Logoffs
• Uploads
• Downloads
• and more.
  
  

Anonymous Root Directory: This specifies the filesystem location visible to anonymous connections.

Public Root Directory: This specifies the filesystem location accessible to any defined FTP user.

Private Root Directory: This filesystem location is accessible only by the owner. Each user will have a protected subfolder under this location.

Directory Listings: This setting controls users' ability to do directory listings.

• Enabled - Users are permitted to do directory listings.
• Disabled - Users are not permitted to perform listings.
• Disabled for Anonymous - Anonymous users aren't permitted to do directory listings.

Maximum Users Allowed to Log in: This sets the maximum number of logged-in users at once. Users above the limit are rejected.

Maximum Connections from the same IP: FTP lets a user log on via multiple sessions from the same address. Here, specify how many simultaneous connections will be allowed for the same user.

Maximum Bandwidth for Anonymous Users: FTP throttling will limit the amount of bandwidth available to what's specified here for each anonymous user.

Maximum Bandwidth for Authenticated Users: FTP throttling will limit each authenticated users' bandwidth to this amount.

Idle Timeout: This specifies the timeout period, in seconds, until a user is disconnected due to inactivity.

Limit Connection Attempts: This option works when FTP is enabled on the WAN. If selected, new fields appear where you can define the maximum number of logon attempts in a given time period. Further connection attempts will be rejected.

Custom configuration: Here, you can enter advanced settings. The software underlying the FTP Server is Vsftpd. vsftpd
You are advised to consult the official documentation before entering settings in this field.

This is the area where you define FTP user accounts. User accounts defined here will be given only FTP service rights. No operating system accounts are created.

Username: Here, enter the ftp user account name.

Password: Here, enter the ftp user account password.

Access:

• Read/Write - The FTP user is given read and write access.
• Read Only - The FTP user is given only read access.
• View Only - The FTP user is allowed only to view directory contents.

Read/Write: Choosing this setting provides the user full access.

Read only: Choosing this settings allows the user only to browse and download.

View Only: Selecting this setting mean the user can only browse directories.

Private: Choosing this will mean the user can only access their own folder (and not the public area).