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Best way/app to setup FTP server?

G

gianthobbit

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 20, 2010
332
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I want to send backups of our website to Mac at home on a weekly basis. The best way I can see how to do this is create a script to send the files to my mac via FTP.

What is the best way to go about this? Is there a go to app for this?

P.S. 2010 iMac, Lion.
 
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.
 
robgendreau said:
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.
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It's is a linux server and I will be running cron jobs to send the back ups via FTP. I did not go into a ton of detail as I need to do more research on how this is done and since the output is FTP I felt it standard. Since I am on a dedicated server, I am in charge of backups. This what they recommended to do.

My first hurdle is hosting a FTP server on my Mac. Suggestions on the near way/app to do that?
 
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.
 
tyche said:
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.
Click to expand...

I agree, I use CRUSHFTP, it's by far the best for the mac
 
tyche said:
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.
Click to expand...

Do I need to be worried about my IP changing as well? Our ISP leases the IP to us and when you restart the router we frequently get a new IP (pretty standard).

Suggestions on guides for managing the router forwarding ports?
 
gianthobbit said:
Do I need to be worried about my IP changing as well? Our ISP leases the IP to us and when you restart the router we frequently get a new IP (pretty standard).
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Yea, that just means you have a dynamic IP address... something more secure than a static one.
 
gianthobbit said:
Do I need to be worried about my IP changing as well? Our ISP leases the IP to us and when you restart the router we frequently get a new IP (pretty standard).
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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.
 
aristobrat said:
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.
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I guess I will first test it and see if it works. If I have any trouble the ISP blocking the ports could be the issue and I will call then.

What steps do I need to take for the dynamic IP address? I think the port forwarding directions that CrushFTP provides will do. I am not sure who to address the dynamic IP address however.
 
gianthobbit said:
I guess I will first test it and see if it works. If I have any trouble the ISP blocking the ports could be the issue and I will call then.

What steps do I need to take for the dynamic IP address? I think the port forwarding directions that CrushFTP provides will do. I am not sure who to address the dynamic IP address however.
Click to expand...

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.
 
tyche said:
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.
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Do you have a example of a couple of these service? I can push backups out via ftp and (secure ftp etc). So a service that is compatible with that would be ideal.
 
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.
 
chrfr said:
Whether an IP address is static or dynamic has no relationship to security in any form.
Click to expand...

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:
Does a dynamic IP provide more security? You might say yes (lightly) and here is why: If you are not running a website or hosting anything, and if a hacker had your IP, changing it would make it very hard for them to find you. Now, if you go and send the hacker an email, then he could look at the headers and see your new IP – or if you visit a forum under the same username as your old ip and it’s posted for all to see, then it wouldn’t do you much good.
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