Configure And Enable FTP Server on WHM with Easy Steps

In this article, we will guide you through the process of How To Enable FTP Server on WHM. In simple terms, an FTP Server (File Transfer Protocol Server) is a software application that facilitates the transfer of files between computers. FTP allows you to transfer files to any computer connected to the internet. The FTP protocol typically uses port 21 for communication.

This guide will walk you through the steps to install FTP on WHM cPanel.

FTP in WHM/cPanel is a crucial tool for website administrators, enabling them to upload, download, and manage website files directly on the server. It’s essential for efficient website management, file transfers, and content maintenance. Therefore, knowing How To Enable FTP Server on WHM is very important.

If you plan to upload files to your website using FTP, follow the steps below to enable FTP settings on your server.

1. Enable FTP Settings on WHM

First, log in to your WHM as the root user. From the WHM dashboard, click on Service Configuration.

From the Service Configuration screen, click on FTP Server Selection.

On this screen, you can choose between Pure-FTPD or Pro-FTPD to enable FTP accounts.

Pure-FTPd is a free, lightweight FTP server based on Troll-FTPd. It runs on various Unix-like operating systems, including Linux, *BSD, Solaris, and HP-UX. It offers features like virtual domains, chroot home directory, virtual users, TLS/SSL support, and virtual quotas.

Pro-FTPD is a high-performance, highly configurable, and secure FTP server that emulates Apache-like configuration and delivers excellent performance.

Select your preferred FTP server and click the "Save" button to activate it.

2. Configure FTP Settings on WHM

Once you’ve selected an FTP server, you can modify its configuration. Navigate to your WHM home dashboard.

Click on "Service Configuration" and select "FTP Server Configuration" to modify the settings.

On the FTP Server Configuration screen, you can adjust settings like TLS Encryption Support, TLS cipher suite, Allow anonymous logins and uploads, Maximum load for anonymous downloads, and Maximum idle time.

After configuring your FTP server, click the "Save" button to apply the changes. Understanding How To Enable FTP Server on WHM also includes understanding the configuration.

Conclusion

Now you have the ability to send and receive files from an FTP server and upload files to your website using FTP. This article covered How To Enable FTP Server on WHM.

Please subscribe to us on FaceBook, YouTube, and X.

You may also be interested in these articles:

How To Check the Service Status on WHM

How To Set up JetBackup for cPanel

Resolve cPanel/WHM Installation on Red Hat 6 & 7

Learn to Use EasyApache on cPanel

Install WordPress on cPanel

FAQs

What is FTP in WHM/cPanel?

FTP is a method used to transfer files between a local computer and a web server through an FTP client like FileZilla, Cyberduck, or WinSCP.

What is the default FTP account in cPanel?

Each cPanel account comes with a default FTP account that uses the same login credentials as cPanel. This account cannot be deleted.

Can I create multiple FTP accounts for different users?

Yes, you can create multiple FTP accounts with specific directory restrictions for different users.

How do I change the FTP password?

Alternative Solutions for File Transfer:

While FTP remains a viable option, especially when integrated directly within WHM/cPanel, more modern and secure alternatives exist for file transfer and website management. Here are two such alternatives:

1. Secure Shell (SSH) and Secure Copy (SCP) or SFTP:

SSH provides a secure, encrypted connection to the server, offering a command-line interface for managing files and executing commands. SCP (Secure Copy) and SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) are protocols built on top of SSH that allow for secure file transfers. Unlike FTP, which transmits data in plain text, SSH encrypts all communication, protecting against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. Understanding How To Enable FTP Server on WHM and these alternatives are important for choosing the right method.

Explanation: SSH utilizes public-key cryptography to authenticate the server and the client, ensuring that only authorized users can access the server. SCP and SFTP leverage this secure connection to transfer files, making them significantly safer than FTP. SFTP is often preferred over SCP because it provides a more interactive and user-friendly experience.
Implementation:
- Enabling SSH: SSH is typically enabled by default on most Linux servers. To ensure it’s running, you can use the following command:
```
sudo systemctl status sshd
```
  If it’s not running, you can start it with:
```
sudo systemctl start sshd
```
  You can also enable it to start on boot with:
```
sudo systemctl enable sshd
```
- Using SCP: You can use the scp command from your local machine to transfer files to the server. For example:
```
scp /path/to/local/file user@server_ip:/path/to/remote/directory
```
- Using SFTP: You can use an SFTP client (like FileZilla, Cyberduck, or WinSCP) to connect to the server via SSH and manage files graphically. Configure the client to use port 22 (the default SSH port) and the SSH login credentials.

2. Cloud-Based File Storage and Synchronization (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive) with WebDAV:

This approach leverages cloud storage services for file management and uses WebDAV (Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning) to allow direct access to these cloud files from the server. WebDAV is an extension of HTTP that allows clients to perform remote web content authoring operations. This is another viable alternative to How To Enable FTP Server on WHM.

Explanation: Instead of directly uploading files to the server via FTP, you upload them to a cloud storage service. Then, you configure the server to access the cloud storage via WebDAV. This approach offers several advantages, including:
- Centralized File Management: Files are stored in the cloud, making them accessible from anywhere.
- Version Control: Many cloud storage services offer version control, allowing you to revert to previous versions of files.
- Collaboration: Cloud storage services facilitate collaboration by allowing multiple users to access and edit files simultaneously.
- Backup and Redundancy: Cloud storage providers handle backups and redundancy, ensuring data availability.
Implementation:
- Choose a Cloud Storage Service: Select a cloud storage service that supports WebDAV (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive). Note that some services may require a business or enterprise plan for WebDAV access.
- Install a WebDAV Client on the Server: Install a WebDAV client on the server that can mount the cloud storage as a local file system. A popular option is davfs2 (for Linux):
```
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install davfs2
```
- Configure WebDAV Access: Configure davfs2 to mount the cloud storage. This typically involves creating a configuration file (/etc/davfs2/davfs2.conf) and a secrets file (/etc/davfs2/secrets) containing the WebDAV URL, username, and password. The specific steps vary depending on the cloud storage service.
  
  Example secrets file:
```
/path/to/mountpoint username password
```
- Mount the Cloud Storage: Mount the cloud storage to a local directory on the server:
```
sudo mount -t davfs /path/to/mountpoint /local/directory
```
  You can add this mount command to /etc/fstab to automatically mount the cloud storage on boot.

These alternative solutions offer enhanced security, flexibility, and features compared to traditional FTP, making them compelling choices for modern web development and server management workflows. Choosing the right approach depends on your specific needs and security requirements.