Install FTP Server on CentOS 7

Introduction

If you are looking to install an FTP server, you can’t beat the simplicity of VSFTPD.

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It has been a standard method for transferring files between computers for decades.

Although security measures have been added, FTP is by nature an insecure method for transferring files. However, it can be useful when making files available to multiple users, or when working in a secure and private network.

This guide will show you how to configure and install an FTP server using VSFTPD on CentOS 7.

Prerequisites

• Access to a user account with sudo privileges
• The yum package manager, installed by default
• A text editor of your choice

Install FTP Server on CentOS 7

Step 1: Install FTP Service With VSFTPD

1. Start by updating the package manager:

sudo yum update

Allow the process to complete.

This guide uses the vsftpd (VSFTPD stands for “Very Secure FTP Daemon software package”). It’s a relatively easy software utility to use for creating an FTP server.

2. Install VSFTPD software with the following command:

sudo yum install vsftpd

Allow the operation to complete.

3. Start the service and set it to launch when the system boots with the following:

sudo systemctl start vsftpd

sudo systemctl enable vsftpd

4. Next, create a rule for your firewall to allow FTP traffic on Port 21:

sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --permanent --add-port=21/tcp

sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --permanent --add-service=ftp

sudo firewall-cmd –reload

Step 2: Configuring VSFTPD

The behavior of the FTP service on your server is determined by the /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf configuration file.

1. Before starting, create a copy of the default configuration file:

sudo cp /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf.default

This ensures that you have a way to return to the default configuration, in case you change a setting that causes a problem.

2. Next, edit the configuration file with the following command:

sudo nano /etc/vsftpd/vsftpd.conf

3. Set your FTP server to disable anonymous users and allow local users.

Find the following entries in the configuration file, and edit them to match the following:

anonymous_enable=NO

local_enable=YES

This is an important step. Anonymous access is a risky – you should avoid it unless you understand the risks.

4. Next, allow a logged-in user to upload files to your FTP server.

Find the following entry, and edit to match as follows:

write_enable-YES

Note: By default, this line starts with a # sign to indicate it’s a comment. Commenting is a useful way to turn commands on and off. The # sign can also be used to make notes in the file without the system interpreting them as instructions.

5. Limit FTP users to their own home directory. This is often called “jail” or “chroot jail.” Find and adjust the entry to match the following:

chroot_local_user=YES

allow_writeable_chroot=YES

Note: for test purposes, the allow_writeable_chroot=YES option will create a functioning FTP server that you can test and use. Some administrators advocate the use of the user_sub_token option for better security. Refer to the vsftpd documentation for more information on this option.

6.The vsftpd utility provides a way to create an approved user list. To manage users this way, find the userlist_enable entry, then edit the file to look as follows:

userlist_enable=YES

userlist_file=/etc/vsftpd/user_list

userlist_deny=NO

You can now edit the /etc/vsftpd/user_list file, and add your list of users. (List one per line.) The userlist_deny option lets you specify users to be included; setting it to yes would change the list to users that are blocked.

7. Once you’re finished editing the configuration file, save your changes. Restart the vsftpd service to apply changes:

sudo systemctl restart vsftpd

Step 3: Create a New FTP user

1. To create a new FTP user enter the following:

sudo adduser testuser

sudo passwd testuser

The system should prompt you to enter and confirm a password for the new user.

2. Add the new user to the userlist:

echo “testuser” | sudo tee –a /etc/vsftpd/user_list

3. Create a directory for the new user, and adjust permissions:

sudo mkdir –p /home/testuser/ftp/upload

sudo chmod 550 /home/testuser/ftp

sudo chmod 750 /home/testuser/ftp/upload

sudo chown –R testuser: /home/testuser/ftp

Note: This creates a home/testuser directory for the new user, with a special directory for uploads. It sets permissions for uploads only to the /uploads directory.

4. Now, you can log in to your FTP server with the user you created:

ftp 192.168.01

Replace this IP address with the one from your system. You can find your IP address in Linux with the  ip addr  command.

The system should prompt you for a username – enter testuser (or whatever username you created earlier). Type the password, and the system should log you in.

Step 4: Test the FTP server

To Test the FTP Server Locally, use the command:

ftp localhost

To Test remotely, use the command:

ftp your.ftp.server.com

Conclusion

Now you know how to set up and install an FTP server on Centos 7 with VSFTPD. You should be able to login to your server via FTP and start transferring files.