Topic: External FTP access to e-smith

[Glenn Kennedy]

While I love the simplicity and reliability of e-smith as a network file share, I absolutely need to be able to access and deposit files on the e-smith server from the internet, and am about a week away from wiping e-smith and installing NT with WarFTP to accomplish this -- something I'd rather not do.

Does anyone know how to enable external FTP access and/or install a replacement FTP app on e-smith that allows external FTP access?

I realize the security issues with such a change.

Thanks,

Glenn Kennedy

[Joseph Morrison]

Hello Glenn,

> Does anyone know how to enable external FTP access and/or
> install a replacement FTP app on e-smith that allows external
> FTP access?

The ProFTPd server that ships with e-smith is full-featured. Although the e-smith configuration doesn't permit external access, you can alter the configuration to support this. The relevant file is:

/etc/e-smith/templates/etc/proftpd.conf

You'll need to review the documentation on www.e-smith.org and www.proftpd.org to understand how to alter it.

Alternatively you can wait for e-smith 4.0 (due out in February), which will allow you to designate extra IP addresses and subnets as "local".

Finally, your third (and best) option is to set up a virtual private networking (VPN) solution such as www.timestep.com which will securely allow remote machines to appear as though they are local.

Best regards,
- Joe Morrison