The installation and configuration of vsftpd FTP Server under Debian Linux
The vsftpd server verification
The vsftpd server installation
The vsftpd server configuration
Introdution
Vsftpd (Very Secure FTP Daemon) is another of the most popular implementation of FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server for many unix platforms such as: Linux, Solaris and FreeBSD. It is used by FTP servers of many services such as redhat.com, suse.co, debian.com, freebsd.org, gnu.org. As the name suggests, the great pressure developers put on security, nevertheless vsftpd is known as a stable and efficient server also. The source code of the vsftpd is open.
The vsftpd server verification
The best way is to use a specific command from the super user mode:
vsftpd -v
As a resault there should be an application version. If this command returns an answer about not finding such command, install the proftpd server.
The vsftpd server installation
Enter from command line of the super user:
aptitude install vsftpd
The vsftpd server configuration
Here is a list of steps you must take to migrate vsftpd application from IPv4 to IPv6.
- Verification if installed vsftpd server supports IPv6.
Even a manual source code compilation implies an application installation with IPv6 support. That support appeared in version 1.1.3 (2003), so each application with version equal to or higher can be configured to work with IPv6. To check the version, type:
vsftpd -v
If the version is lower then required, install the newer vsftpd server.
- Verification where are the configuration files.
The default localization of configuration for Debian systems is in /etc/vsftpd.conf for an installation from reposotiory.
- The vsftp application migration from IPv4 to IPv6 can be done in to modes: Dual Stack and Native IPv6.
- The Dual Stack mode
There is a need of configuring second instance of vsftpd. Just create another vsftpd.conf configuration file with the appropriate configuration (see IPv6 Native mode) and run the vsftpd daemon pointing to a new configuration file.
-
The Native IPv6 mode
Comment entry "listen=YES" and uncomment entry "listen6=YES" in the vsftpd.conf file.
- Recognition of how the application is listening on IP addresses
By default vsftpd listens on all interfaces found on your system. In this case, migration is somewhat simplified because you do not need to change anything. In the case, however, if in the configuration of vsftpd there is a definition "listen_address" with specific IPv4 address, it means that the server is listening on this address only. During the migration from IPv4 to IPv6, this parameter should be changed from "listen_address" to "listen_address6" and then the IPv4 address to IPv6 address of your choice.
- The vsftpd application restart.
After changing the configuration, there must be a restart of vsftpd application:
service vsftpd restart
In case of running second instance of vsftpd it can be started by the command:
vsftpd /etc/name_of_second_vsftpd.conf
If you want to improve the administration of second vsftpd server, you should copy and modify init script of first vsftpd server.