Best way/app to setup FTP server?

Why don't you check with your hosting service? You don't give enough info to answer your question, or even tell what software the host is running.

 

Opening up your home pc to allow incoming connections especially FTP is very insecure.

I instead would use sftp or rsync over ssh. Going a google search should find a bunch of examples how to set up an rsync backup schedule. Depending on the size of your data you might want to look at doing a 7 day differential backup strategy.

Anyway the first thing you need to do is set up any forwarding rules on your router to allow incoming ports to your iMac. Another issue is depending on how network security is set up at work, this who process might not even work. Most sites lock things down pretty tight to avoid exploits.

 

I agree, I use CRUSHFTP, it's by far the best for the mac

 

Yea, that just means you have a dynamic IP address... something more secure than a static one.

 

Yes. As mentioned, look at dynamic DNS service. DynDNS used to offer a free account, but not sure if they still do.

Also, if you're planning on using FTP to your house, you might want to verify that your ISP doesn't block ports. My ISP (Cox Cable) blocks both incoming FTP and HTTP on residential accounts.

 

Many routers support Dynamic DNS clients. There would probably be a DDNS tab on the admin screen of the router. They would have a list of services that you can use through the router itself.

I have used DYNDNS for years (they are now branding themselves as dyn.com), but there are other services. Even if your router doesn't support a given service, they will most likely have a free client that will automatically update the service when your dynamic IP address changes.

Just search for "Dynamic DNS" and you should get a list of providers...

Also some other devices, like Synology NAS devices have built-in DDNS client support (and sometimes FTP/SSH/SFTP service support as well).

 

There's several Internet based backup solutions that would worth investigating. Their prices are quite reasonable and your work could pay for them. I just think what youre trying to do is going to be a real headache.

Backup your data to the 'cloud' as an offsite solution. it would be safer , encrypted and wouldn't rely on your house pc.

 

It sounds to me like you're trying to do this backwards. Since the IP address of your home Mac is dynamic, why not run the script from your Mac and pull the backups from your server using scp?

If you do decide to run the script from your server, just enable "remote login" in your Mac's sharing prefs and use scp from the server. Of course you'll have to forward port 22 to your Mac in your router's settings as well.

SSH > FTP any day of the week.

 

I've been using it for several years - great product. And the Tech service from Ben Spink is truly awesome.

 

Whether an IP address is static or dynamic has no relationship to security in any form.

 

By security, I mean reliability. In other words, security for the user for maintaining a single form of an internet based protocol. In regards to the difference amongst the two of them, you can entertain yourself here and find out more on how the reliability differs.
On the other hand, dynamic does offer more security: