How to Configure an FTP Server in WHM?

Pure-FTPD refers to an FTP server that comes with pre-packaged VPS and dedicated server host accounts. It is demonstrated in the WHM description that this FTP server can handle both regular and encrypted connections. The many settings you may use to customize the FTP server behavior in your VPS or dedicated server account are described in this article. Please keep these settings as they are if you are not familiar with configuring your FTP server.

Note: You must have root access and either a VPS or dedicated server hosting account in order to follow this guide.

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 shows you whether TLS encryption is required for any FTP connection to your server account, optional (the default configuration), or disabled. In order to accommodate older FTP accounts that do not support encrypted connections, the setting is made optional even though encrypted connections are recommended for security reasons. This provides your users with more support. Whereas the Required (Command/Data) option will conceal all communication, the Required (Command) option will conceal user names and passwords.

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]

Instead of using the FTP protocol standards, it enables the server to accept FTP connections. This fixes the problems with some FTP clients and firewalls not working together. Enabling this is recommended if users are consistently experiencing issues connecting to the server. This is a temporary option that should only be used when necessary.

To save your edits, use the Save option located at the bottom of the screen after making your changes.

This has shown you how to set up an FTP server in WHM.