When an FTP server includes pre-packaged VPS and Dedicated server host accounts, it is called as Pure-FTPD. The description in WHM showcases that this FTP server can managed normal as well as encrypted connections. This article reveals the different options you can change to configure the FTP server behavior used in your VPS or Dedicated server account. In case you don’t know how to configure your FTP server, then please leave these settings to the default settings.
Note: For performing this tutorial, you need to have root access and either a VPS or dedicated server hosting account.
Steps to Configure the FTP Server in WHM
- Log in to your WHM account.
- Search for FTP in the search box located in the top left corner. This will display the options in the Service Configuration section menu. Here click on FTP Server Configuration.
The below configuration options will get displayed. Remember make only the configuration change that you need. It is strongly recommended to not make changes to these settings unless it is required.
FTP Server Configuration options in a Dedicated or VPS Server Account
Below is a list of options that are available to be changed in WHM. The configuration options for each are shown in square brackets besides the option title with the default option shown first. You can select these options in WHM simply by clicking the drop-down menu or inserting a value in the field nest to the option title:
TLS Encryption Support [Optional, Required (Command), Required (Command/Data), Disabled]
This option showcases that if TLS encryption is needed, optional (default setting) or disabled for any FTP connection to your server account. Encrypted connections are preferred for security purposes, but the setting is set to optional in order to allow older FTP accounts that do not support encrypted connections. This offers a broader support for your users. The Required (Command) option will keep the user name and passwords hidden while the Required (Command/Data) option will keep all traffic hidden.
TLS Cipher Suite [HIGH:MEDIUM:+TLSv1:!SSLv2:+SSLv3]
It is the standard format list for the SSL/TLS ciphers used by Pure-FTP with your server installation. Particularly, these settings are changed only due to PCI compliance requirements.
Allow Anonymous Logins [No, Yes]
This option enables users to login to your FTP server without using the login credentials. But make sure you do not allow anonymous users to keep your account secured.
Allow Anonymous Uploads [No, Yes]
It is similar to Anonymous Logins, but enables uploads without the knowing the user’s location. Since it is a security risk, it isn’t recommended.
Similar to Anonymous Logins, if you allow logins with identification of the person’s location is a possible security risk and not recommended.
Maximum Load for Anonymous Downloads [4]
It indicates the number for the maximum load related to the maximum load of the server. In case a server has reached this threshold load level, then no anonymous downloads would be allowed from anonymous users until the server load level has gone back to normal. Being a security setting, it is used to keep anonymous downloads from disturbing the hosting server.
Maximum Idle Time (minutes) [30]
It indicates the time that an FTP connection can remain idle prior to getting disconnected.
Maximum Connections [150]
It indicates the maximum number of FTP connections permitted that FTP server will accept at once.
Maximum Connections per IP Address [8]
It indicates the maximum number of FTP connections permitted from a single IP address.
Allow Logins with Root Password [Yes, No]
With this the root user of the server can access all FTP accounts.
Broken Clients Compatibility [No, Yes]
It allows the server to accept FTP connections instead of FTP protocol standards. With this the compatibility issues with some FTP clients and firewalls gets resolved. This should be enabled when you have users who continually face problems while accessing the server. This option should be used only when needed and on a temporary basis.
- After making the changes, click on the Save button at the bottom of the screen to save your modifications.
With this you have learned to configure an FTP server in WHM.
Also Read:
Learn to Manage FTP accounts in Plesk
Learn how to allow an FTP server through Windows Firewall
