Managing FTP Accounts & Client Connections

📌 Purpose & Quick Summary

The FTP Accounts management center enables you to provision dedicated File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and secure FTPS credentials. You can create separate FTP user accounts for web developers, designers, or external contributors, locking each user into a specific website directory with isolated storage quotas. This ensures third parties can upload and download files without gaining access to your entire hosting environment or other websites.

Figure 8: FTP accounts dashboard showing connection parameters, active users ledger, and account creation tool.

🖥️ Interface Tour & Elements

1. Connection Telemetry Banner: Prominent banner displaying the essential connection parameters required for any desktop FTP client:
   • FTP Server / Host: Your server's primary IP address or domain hostname.
   • Port: Standard Port 21 (supports explicit TLS/SSL encryption).
   • Active Accounts: Total count of provisioned FTP logins.
2. Create FTP Account Modal / Form:
   • Username Input: Custom user prefix (automatically appended with @yourdomain.com).
   • Directory Lock Path: The specific folder path (e.g. public_html/store) to which this user is strictly confined via chroot jail.
   • Password Generator: High-entropy password creation with copy-to-clipboard button.
   • Disk Quota: Maximum megabytes the FTP user is permitted to store, or Unlimited.
3. Active FTP Accounts Ledger: Table listing User Login, Root Directory, Storage Quota, Password Reset action, and Delete button.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Creating a New FTP Account

1. In the sidebar, click FTP Accounts (icon: fa-user-shield).
2. Click Create FTP Account (or use the form at top).
3. In the dialog:
   • Username: Enter the desired username (e.g. developer).
   • Directory: Set the folder path this user should access. For a specific website, enter public_html/example.com.
   • Password: Click the Generate Password button to generate a strong password, and copy it to a secure location.
   • Quota: Enter a quota in MB (e.g. 2048 for 2GB) or check Unlimited.
4. Click Create Account. The Pure-FTPd virtual database registers the user instantly.

Step 2: Connecting with FileZilla or WinSCP

1. Open your desktop FTP client (e.g. FileZilla).
2. Enter the connection settings:
   • Host: Enter your domain name or server IP address.
   • Username: Enter the full FTP username (e.g. [email protected]).
   • Password: Enter the generated password.
   • Port: Enter 21.
   • Encryption: Select Require explicit FTP over TLS (recommended for secure transfers).
3. Click Quickconnect. Accept the server SSL certificate when prompted. You are now securely connected to your isolated directory.

Step 3: Changing Password or Deleting an FTP User

1. In the Active FTP Accounts table, locate the target user.
2. Click the Change Password (key icon) button, enter or generate a new password, and click Update.
3. To decommission access, click the Delete button (trash icon). Confirm whether to delete the FTP login only (website files remain untouched).

⚙️ Complete Field & Parameter Reference Table

❓ Troubleshooting & Common Errors

1. FileZilla Error: "530 Login Authentication Failed"

• Cause: Using the short username instead of the full username, or incorrect password.
• Solution: In your FTP client, ensure the username field contains the full login including domain (e.g. [email protected]). If forgotten, click Change Password in the panel to reset it.

2. Connection Hangs at "MLSD" or "Entering Passive Mode"

• Cause: Local client router or software firewall blocking passive FTP port ranges (30000 - 50000).
• Solution: In FileZilla, navigate to Settings -> Connection -> FTP, and change Transfer Mode from Passive to Active (or configure your firewall to permit passive FTP ports).