ftp client with web interface

[scoobynz]

Hello,

If I understand correctly my B2 has, by default, proftpd installed as the ftp server – which is fine / good.

I want to be able to copy between multiple bubba’s using an ftp client installed on the bubba. Due to limited linux knowledge (by some of the bubba users/owners) I wish to do this via a web interface.

Procedure.
1) I would install required ftp client on each users bubba, together with the web interface for using this client.
2) The users, access the interface on their bubba via their desktop and ftp into each others servers swapping files. Note: although they start this via the web interface on their desktop pc’s they must be able to close down their desktops and let the ftp download continue on the bubba.

The issue I have with this, and hence the question, is that I cannot find a linux ftp client that will do this through a web interface. There are ftp clients with web interfaces (e.g. net2ftp) but when you shut the web interface on your desktop the file transfer also stops – which defeats the purpose somewhat.

I note that the bubba download manager, via the supplied web interface, states that it handles ftp downloads but I have not understood how you would implement this to meet my requirements.

Has anyone got any suggestions, or previously done this.

As always, any help appreciated.

C

[Ubi]

It's not an easy problem you aim to solve. The fact that you require a web interface dictates the use of a daemon process like bubba's FTD. This daemon accepts FTP downloads, but I'm not sure if that includes password-protected files. Also I don't think FTD can recursively download whole folders (although you did not specify this requirement).

How many machines are we talking about anyway?

Now on the other hand it is rather easy to do what you aim from the command shell in bubba. I know you specifically want to avoid this, but there's been many user like yourself with no linux knowledge that quickly learned to do basic tasks. It's really not that difficult, and it's a skill that you'll be able to use for many years.

[scoobynz]

Thanks for the advice.

We are talking 3 x bubba, at different locations. I hear your comments on the command shell! I do not mind the command shell myself . . . . . it just would not constitute a solution to the other users.

If I understand you correctly what I am therefore after is an ftp client that runs as a daemon. Doing a google on this does not seem to offer much luck though – I assume for a reason?

My searching has not been fruitful, unless anyone knows otherwise it appears that such a solution does not exist.

C

[RandomUsername]

Why does it have to be ftp and why does it have to be web based? Can't you use Samba and a file browser to transfer the files for example?

[Ubi]

wouldn't a samba solution require vpn if the bubbae are on different networks?

[Cheeseboy]

You can modify the URI given to the FTD to include the username and password.
http://www.cs.rutgers.edu/~watrous/user-pass-url.html

[RandomUsername]

wouldn't a samba solution require vpn if the bubbae are on different networks?

Well yeah, but I was just throwing around examples that might be better.

[scoobynz]

Thanks for the comments;

I tried specifying the username and password as per cheeseboys link, the transfer was added to the bubba download manager but would not download - i.e. stayed at zero.

my example was ftp://user:password@www.mydomain.com/di ... .extension

This would have been the perfect solution had it worked, but unfortunately no go.

Any other ideas appreciated.

C

[Ubi]

Good chance setting up the vpns is easier than this whole FTD thing .

[ryz]

AN other solution would be to use an ssh file system like sshfs.
http://fuse.sourceforge.net/sshfs.html

[Ubi]

last time I checked sshfs did not work on bubbae because of a missing kernel module. Never checked on a B3 though. But if you get it going it probably is a very good solution

[Cheeseboy]

I tried specifying the username and password as per cheeseboys link, the transfer was added to the bubba download manager but would not download - i.e. stayed at zero.

my example was ftp://user:password@www.mydomain.com/di ... .extension

Please be aware that the default directory for FTP users will be their home directory, so the URI/URL would have to look something like this (to move up to storage):

Code: Select all

ftp://user:password@www.mydomain.com/../storage/di ... .extension

EDIT:
The two dots means move up one step in the directory structure.