FTP Questions

[BeardedClem]

I've yet to try any FTP program so I need some advice about it.

First of all which do you find is the best, easiest free FTP program available? As far as I know, it's kind of like direct peer to peer file sharing where you choose the sharer by their IP address right? My friend has cable and I have aDSL so I get a new IP every time I log on correct? How do I check my assigned IP and do cable guys work the same way?

Can you allow only certain folders to be accessed or is it possible to manipulate the other guy's PC completely from the remote location?

Also, I'm sure I read from some guy once that he used an FTP program to kind of force game demos and other files to download from servers like the ones at fileplanet where you don't always have access to the offshore mirrors. How would that work?

That's a lot of questions I know but feel free to answer as few of as many as you like.

Thanks.

[DrZaius]

Hi BeardedClem,

First of all which do you find is the best, easiest free FTP program available?
There are two types of FTP programs: an FTP client and an FTP server. With the FTP client you can only connect to other servers and download/upload files. You'll need an FTP server program to run a server. I havn't used one, but three good ones are BulletProof FTP Server, Serv-U, and WAR FTP Daemon (just do a search on Download.com).
As far as I know, it's kind of like direct peer to peer file sharing where you choose the sharer by their IP address right?
Sort of, it's not really a true "peer-to-peer" system, but it's an easy way to share files with others.
My friend has cable and I have aDSL so I get a new IP every time I log on correct? How do I check my assigned IP and do cable guys work the same way?
Most DSL providers use dynamic IPs while cable uses static. Either way, how you find your IP depends on the OS: if you're using Win98 then just run winipconfig, if you're using Win2K/XP try ipconfig.
Can you allow only certain folders to be accessed or is it possible to manipulate the other guy's PC completely from the remote location?
Yes on both questions. You can choose which files you want to share when setting up the server, and you can allow others to upload/delete/modify specific files on your own server.
Also, I'm sure I read from some guy once that he used an FTP program to kind of force game demos and other files to download from servers like the ones at fileplanet where you don't always have access to the offshore mirrors. How would that work?
You can log into FTP servers directly using an FTP client, bypassing an need for web pages and such.

Hope that helps.

[BeardedClem]

Cool Doc thanks for the quick reply. Now that you mention it I've heard of Bulletproof ftp so I think I'll look into that.

When I open winipcfg (win98) I get the same IP address even after restarting, so how does that work? I expected it to be different.

And if I have my pc acting as an ftp server, is there any greater securiy risk of having open ports for someone to gain access to or what. How does having Zonealarm on affect any of this procedure.

[glc]

If you want *free* the best free server software is War, the best free client software is WS-FTP LE. I personally prefer the Bulletproof products, but they are not free. The most widely used server seems to be Serv-U. I have also used WFTPD server, it's very easy to configure and the "trial" version works without paying in a reduced capability mode.

[DrZaius]

When I open winipcfg (win98) I get the same IP address even after restarting, so how does that work? I expected it to be different.
Is the DSL modem external? The IP only resets when the modem restarts.
And if I have my pc acting as an ftp server, is there any greater securiy risk of having open ports for someone to gain access to or what. How does having Zonealarm on affect any of this procedure.
Yes, you will have to open port 21 for FTP access and you will have to configure ZoneAlarm to allow the program (and that program only) to act as a server on the specific port.

Hope that helps.

[BeardedClem]

I'm an idiot. It just dawned on me that icq has a built in file sharing folder. I never use the program even though it's installed, I should probably learn how to use it at least for trading larger files than e-mail will allow.

I can't seem to get over the suspicion that all the women who use that program and try to talk to you are fat, hideous single welfare mothers looking for a meal ticket for their screeching larvae.

Maybe I'm too suspicious. Maybe that's why I'm still single. Ahh well, at least I got the internet.