Anonymous FTP server or password protect directory?

[MichaelLaws]

One of my client needs to have multiple user accessing
files in his directory. I realized you can't configure multiple
ftp server for one account.
I tried to configure anonymous ftp server to his account but got the error message resource unavailable,need dedicated IP
address.

Is there is a way to password protect certain directory but allow
multiple user to access certain files with different username
through H-sphere ?

[jmbeach]

I'm guessing you're talking Windows? Because with Unix you can have as many FTP logins for a single account as you wish, they're called Sub-FTP.

For windows, the best you can do is a single "anonymous" FTP (for which you need a dedicated IP) or send in a TT and ask to have a particular folder protected. With this, though, you'll only get one username/password combination for all your users.

The only current option for the Windows side is to use some Browser based file manager application, and build your own list of users who could access it.

Again, another feature PSoft is behind the times on.

[MichaelLaws]

Excuse my ignorance but what is TT ?
Anyway can't i use something like ASPsecure
to allow multiple users with multiple password ?

[jmbeach]

TT = Trouble Ticket (support@matrixreseller.com)

You could use ASPSecure, but you still have to use a web based file manager. ASPSecure wouldn't be able to divy up folder access if you have your file manager app. in one location. For that you would need to customize. That's why I recommended building your own.

A quick look around shows that there may be some apps already that can accomplish all this for you - http://www.iisworks.com/fileman/

or take a look here for more apps - http://www.hotscripts.com/ASP/Script...ent/index.html

Let me know what you find.

EDIT: I checked out FileMan - looks to be a really good app, but you'd have to pay to have the 2 dll's that it uses installed. Being that it's a good, free app, though, the $50 may be worth it to you. I'm going to test it locally to see if it's as good as it looks.

[jmbeach]

Michael:

I also tried another app - http://artofnet.com/en/Applications.asp?id=4

It doesn't require any dll's to work, and still offers you to set up multiple user/pass combinations, with specified access to folders - It isn't as full featured as the FileMan tool, nor is it as pretty, but for a free app that will plug right in, it's a good start. I'm sure if you have the inclination and some free time, you could customize this to what you need.

It only took me about 5 minutes to get it working, though, as it is. That's pretty good in my book.

EDIT: Okay, after some testing, I would say to stay away from this app, as it's very, very buggy. A good first effort, but not worth using in my opinion.

[soky]

Originally posted by jmbeach

EDIT: I checked out FileMan - looks to be a really good app, but you'd have to pay to have the 2 dll's that it uses installed. Being that it's a good, free app, though, the $50 may be worth it to you. I'm going to test it locally to see if it's as good as it looks.

Yeah... and let us all know what box you paid for the install.

[soky]

Not being able to have multiple users nor the ability to set/modify permissions on directories in Windows is cause me some trouble. I have created several tools for my clients that requires authentication. I am looking at alternate methods however I feel safer with the NT authentication.

Q Are you reviewing any tools that would allow us to add users and modify permissions within our own domains? It sure would help me and from reading the posts... I don't think I'm alone.

[jmbeach]

You're definitely not alone, as we all wish (I think) that we had more FTP options for windows.

I'm going to install the FileMan app and the 2 dll's that it comes with to see if this is a good app or not. From the demo, it looks like it works well.

Perhaps, since it's a free tool, maybe PSoft could work it (or something like it) into HSphere - or get subFTP working for Windows.

[jmbeach]

Well, I tooled around with FileMan today, and it's pretty good - of course there's always a downside to all that is good and FREE -

It's a lite version, with only 3 accounts available. Not really an effective tool for multiple users. You can always buy the full version ($350 Euro's - about $400 US)

Again, back to square one

[soky]

Originally posted by jmbeach
Well, I tooled around with FileMan today, and it's pretty good - of course there's always a downside to all that is good and FREE -

It's a lite version, with only 3 accounts available. Not really an effective tool for multiple users. You can always buy the full version ($350 Euro's - about $400 US)

Again, back to square one

I visited the page and thought it looked real good up until I read the installation notes and the CPU load information. It didn't sound like a very good option for a shared box.

Hey... but thanks for trying it out for us!!! Yeah... the fine print usually brings a kicker.

[jmbeach]

Originally posted by soky
I visited the page and thought it looked real good up until I read the installation notes and the CPU load information. It didn't sound like a very good option for a shared box.

Yeah, I saw that too. If only we had sub-FTP. Maybe it's time to go make noise on PSofts forum

I would highly recommend making noise on psoft forums if you really want it, custoemr demand is what makes THEM money after all, and sometimes we aren't enough to tell them you want it, they have to see from the end-user.

[soky]

Originally posted by landiserve
I would highly recommend making noise on psoft forums if you really want it, custoemr demand is what makes THEM money after all, and sometimes we aren't enough to tell them you want it, they have to see from the end-user.

Any news on this front? --- I am really having trouble with the NT account limitations.

[achabot]

I'm having trouble with this too. The reason is mainly that the email accounts have a limit of 10mb, so the only option is to have my customer's clients use ftp. Since I do my work using ASP, all my customers who need email space larger than 10mb are complaining and I can't even offer them a solution. I looked into fileman, NavXP, Http Commander and Fixit IDMS, but noone here seems to be familiar with them.

See my earlier thread:
http://forum.vortechhosting.com/show...xit+idms+navxp


Added later: I got a call from a customer today that is switching to another web host because of this.

[jmbeach]

why not do as tracewebspace suggested (in your other post) and just build a script that uses one of the many free uploaders? You could build a small database of username/passwords that give access to particular folders for each account, so that the uploads could be routed. Seems straight forward enough for me.

Plus it's an easier solution to teach people to use than showing them how to use an FTP client to push files.

Sure it's a little work on your end, but I made one for those clients that have big files. I get email notification and it's done. Couldn't be more simple!

I agree, it would be great if HSphere had all the bells and whistles. Heck, I've been dreaming of them coming through on their promise of Streaming media support. That one's about 3 years old now, so I'm venturing a guess that they've moved onto other things