How to install FTP Servers in Windows Server 2019

Hi, it is very good to be with you again!. In this opportunity, we will talk about FTP servers and how to installed it in Windows Server 2019. File Transfer Protocol is a service used for sending and obtaining files between two remote computers (client and servers) running on a computer network. In spite of being one of the oldest protocols to exchange data, still is very used around the world, and this is because of some advantage that we will describe below. It is really easy to use, allows to transfer a lot of data, offers a good speed of connection and an effective data transfer.

Although this may be true, it presents a serious security issue, inasmuch as, all the information is sending in a clear-text sign-in protocol, including username and password of the account. In that sense, if a malicious user intercepts connection, then he can steal valuable data. For secure transmission that protects the username and password, and encrypts the content, FTP is often secured with SSL/TLS (FTPS) or replaced with SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP).

Installing FTP Server in Windows Server 2019. Adding Web Server (IIS)

In order to install FTP server, we need to assign a static IP to our connection. Then go the dashboard and select Add roles and features

On the nex window, we select next. The wizard is a very intuitive tool for configuring services of the server.

Select Role-based or feature-based installation

Select the server where we will install the services.

Next, on the list of roles to install, we need to check Web Server (IIS), a new window will be open with a description of the features required to manage it. Just select Add features and later press next.

In addition, press Next twice until we getting to role services windows. Once there, check FTP Server and select next to continue the installation. Then, select install to start the procedure and we have to wait until the installation is completed.

Adding group and users to FTP Server

Now, we must add users and groups on Active Directory Domain, with this intention, that feature would be installed in Windows Server, if you do not how to do it, please check our site’s article. For the purpose of it, in the dashboard, select Active Directory Users and Computers

In the next windows, we will create two users (for example) and a group to add them. For it, select user folder, right-clicking on it, New, User. And just type the user’s credentials as you wish, like the name and password. In my particular case, I added two users: rogerpol and josuepol.

Now, we need to create a group where users will belong. Once again, click on user, new and group.

Assign the group’s name, in my case I use telematic.ftp.

Select both of the users to add to the group recently created, by right-clicking on names.

The next point is to create the repository where we have to store the FTP information, for this we create a folder in the C drive, called Totem FTP (for example) and this must be edited as follows. Right-click on Properties and there, we select the Security tab, click on Advanced.

We need to click on disable inheritance, in the popup window select convert inherited permissions into explicit permissions on this object.

Now again in the Security tab click on Edit and there we will remove the Users group

We will add the group we have created for FTP, in my case telematic.ftp and provide the necessary permissions by activating the corresponding boxes. Click Apply and then Accept

Creating FTP site

Now is time to create our FTP site. For the purpose of that, we have to open dashboard, tools and select Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.

On the window, select Sites in order to add FTP Site

Assign FTP site name and specific physical path to the folder previously created and press Next.

Select Ip Address to site and select No SSL. And press next.

Set Basic authentication, to management entry by user and password, and allow authorization to the group previously created (in my case: telematic.ftp) just press next and our FTP site will be created.

Testing FTP server

In order to test our FTP site, we must run a CMD terminal and type ftp ip address (in my case is 192.168.1.59) and insert user and password.

This is it, It has been a long, but very productive way. Now we can seize the advantages of this feature.