I want to ftp to Linux Server that has openSUSE 12.1

English Network/Internet
1

Hey, everyone. Let me start with I’m brand new to openSUSE, but I’m learning.

Problem: I can’t ftp to our website.

Background: My boss hosts is his website on his own Linux Server. It has openSUSE 12.1.

I created a new website on my macbook using wordpress. I want to send it to his Linux server through ftp. Using FileZilla on my laptop, I put in:
Host: www(dot)domainname(dot)com
Username: root
Password: (same password I use to log into this server as root)

But I get the error, “Could not connect to server.”

Wordpress works fine on Linux if I manually move files with a flash drive. Ftp would be better for constant updates, though.

**Questions: **

  1. Do I need to add or configure anything in openSUSE so that I can ftp to this server?
  2. To ftp, should I be using the user name “root” and the password I use to login (or something else)?

I’m hoping answers will help other noobs with the same problem.

2

You have to enable an ftp server on the boss’s server, allow ftp ports in the SuSE firewall and arrange port forwarding through the boss’s router to the server.
I use vsftp to do what you’re attempting.

3

Using root user to login is a bad idea. Check the configuration file for many options: /etc/vsftpd.conf

4

For myself,
I’ve been happy running pureftp, it’s one of a selection that will integrate with YAST automatically. When you install pureftp, you’ll immediately see a new “FTP Server” applet in YAST which can do basic service stop/start, various security settings and configurations. With solution, YAST will automatically configure the details, like opening appropriate FW port(s), User access, more.

The thing to remember when configuring an FTP Server app is that unlike other file repository systems you need to inspect and configure security on <two> levels… The underlying system level and at the application level. If permissions won’t permit at either level, you are blocked.

Also, depending on how much say you have I personally prefer setting up HTTP/HTTPS access to files if the files don’t exceed more than a few megabytes in size. Download is possible with no special configuration, uploading typically requires WebDAV on the Server.

HTH,
TS

5

Don’t use www in a ftp domainname. So host is : yourbossdomain.com
You need a username and password. If the server is setup correctly it won’t even allow root access over ftp.

6

Actually,
The WWW may be a required part of the URL eg

Ftp://www.foobar.com

www is only a kind of hostname, has no relationship to the protocol supportrd.

HTH,
TS

7

Hey, tsu2. So do you think pureftp is the easiest ftp for me. Like I said, I’m brand new to openSUSE. I’m sure I’ll pick it up as time goes on, but I probably need to start with something simple that I can get going.

Thanks

8

Thanks Swerdna, I didn’t know that logging on as root was a bad idea. I created a new user with password. Much appreciated.

9

Thanks, info. If I try and log into our openSUSE server from my laptop, shouldn’t I be able to use filezilla? then, type in: domainname.com for Host, myusername for Username and mylinuxpassword for Password?

If I did that correctly, I’m not getting in.

10

To enable ftp server on my boss’ server, I:

  1. Went into Yast
  2. Selected Network Services, then
  3. Selected FTP Server

Under “Switch On and Off,” current status says: ftp is running.
Under “Selected Service,” vsftpd is selected.

My ftp server appears to be enabled.

11

On 2012-04-17 20:06, mks01 wrote:
>
> Knurpht;2456252 Wrote:
>> If the server is setup correctly it won’t even allow root access over
>> ftp.
>
> Thanks, info. If I try and log into our openSUSE server from my laptop,
> shouldn’t I be able to use filezilla? then, type in: domainname.com for
> Host, myusername for Username and mylinuxpassword for Password?
>
> If I did that correctly, I’m not getting in.

As said already, root can not login over ftp. Do not change that. Also, if
your server machine was named www.domainname.com, you will not be able to
log into domainname.com unless they happen to point to the same machine.

Another, better alternative, is to use secure shell to transfer files
(ssh). Setting ftp to work over two firewalls is not simple.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)

12

OK thanks! I’ll look into ssh and let you know how it goes. I didn’t know you couldn’t use root for ftp. Thanks again. Good info.

13

On 2012-04-20 07:16, mks01 wrote:
>
> OK thanks! I’ll look into ssh and let you know how it goes. I didn’t
> know you couldn’t use root for ftp. Thanks again. Good info.

You can, actually, if you insist on it. But it is a very bad idea because
the password is sent in clear text, and any sniffer can get a good look at
it. So it is disabled.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)

14

OK, I’m able to ftp now to our site.

You all said not to use root for my login. I created another login user ID.

Then, I found an article about how to set up SSH instead of ftp.
The article → Configure SSH on OpenSuse 12.1

I followed the instructions and now I’m able to ftp.

Thanks everybody for your help. I really appreciate it.

15

On 2012-04-20 22:56, mks01 wrote:

> I followed the instructions and now I’m able to ftp.

I hope you are not using ftp. Ssh is not ftp.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)