How to Set up an FTP Server in Mac OS X Leopard

FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, allows network and Internet users to transfer files from one computer to another. With Mac OS X, and using the system's built-in Unix core, setting up a Mac to act as an FTP server can be done with a few simple clicks.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mac OS X 10.5

1. 
    
   Launch System Preferences

   Click on the Apple menu in the upper left-hand corner of your menu bar. Select and launch System Preferences.

2. 
    
   Select File Sharing

   Click the "Sharing" folder icon to open the Sharing Preferences pane.

3. 
    
   Turn on File Sharing

   Click "File Sharing" in the "Service" list located in the left-hand column; "File Sharing" will become highlighted when selected. Click the "On" check box to turn on File Sharing.

4. 
    
   File-Sharing Options

   Click the "Options" button in the lower right-hand corner of the "Sharing Preferences" pane. This will open the "File Sharing Options" window. Click "Share Files and Folders Using FTP" to turn on the Mac FTP server. Click "Done" to close the window and save the options.The FTP server is now running. To stop the FTP server, click and uncheck the "Share Files and Folders Using FTP" check box.

Tips & Warnings

• Only existing user accounts are allowed to access the FTP server on OS X 10.5; anonymous FTP is not available. You will need to open port "21," the standard port for FTP, if you have an Internet router. This will allow users outside your network to access the computer via FTP.
• FTP transactions are insecure, with user names and passwords being sent over the network or Internet as unencrypted text.