iNetCourier: Web-Based FTP Server

excellent
key review info
application features
  • iNetCourier is simple to setup and easy to use
  • (13 more, see all...)

FTP is still the most widespread protocol for sharing files over the Internet. In the case of a file "dialog" when you only need to send files to and receive them from only one person, you can use e-mail and other protocols to great success, although with some limitations such as file size. But, when you need to get a file "conference" going and you have multiple people sending files that have to reach other multiple people, e-mail falls short because of the resending of files. If you add to that files that are constantly being changed, or keeping track of multiple versions, it turns into a bit of a nightmare. But FTP has its own particular limitations, and while these days just about anyone can download a file using their browser, uploading is a different matter altogether. There are many FTP servers out there, but once you get one up and going, the people you work with have to be able to use a FTP program to upload files, which means they need both the knowhow and an appropriate application.

In order to get rid of all these problems, iNetCourier provides a web-based interface to your FTP server.

What is it? iNetCourier is a FTP server with a built in web-browser based interface. This makes it easy for the people you work with to send you files, and access the files already on the server, no matter where they are. The iNetCourier transfer site interface is as easy to use as any web-mail, making it ideal for everyone, regardless of their grasp on the Internet and computers in general.

How does it work? iNetCourier, creates a general FPT server on your computer. As a FTP server, it doesn't offer very advanced features or possibilities, but the server is only the foundation, on which the rest of the application rests. If you have multiple network interfaces you can select which one you want to use, or you can opt to have the program 'listen' for incoming requests on all of them. You can set the port number you want to use, the default being 8080 so that it can be used even by users who do not have administrator privileges. If you need to manage your bandwidth, you can limit the number of simultaneous connections, and, for security reasons, you can set a session timeout, in minutes. Also here you can change the log settings so you can keep track of everything that goes on on the server.

Once you have a server up and running, you can define "transfer sites". Basically, the user does not interact directly with the server, but with the transfer site. You can set up multiple transfer sites, and each will be a separate entity, each with a different interface and location on your computer. The permissions you set here are default for the site, meaning that each new user you create for that site will start with these default permissions. Each site has its own users, with username and password and specific permissions.

To help with the communication process, you can also set up notifications, so that whenever a file is uploaded, iNetCourier automatically sends out an e-mail to all the addresses you add to the site's notify list.

The system is very flexible and is very easy to use for both the administrator and the average user.

Using it as an external user The transfer sites you define can be accessed by adding a colon, the port number a forward slash and the site name after your IP or web address, like www.mydomain.com:8080/newsite or 127.0.0.1:8080/newsite. Before you can actually access the transfer site, you have to enter your username and password.

The interface iNetCourier has for the transfer sites is clean and simple, on the right, you have a big area in which you can see the files and folders present on the site. Clicking on a folder will open it and clicking on a file will download it... pretty straightforward. The trashcan icon can be used to delete files, and, unfortunately, there is no confirmation dialog, so be careful how you click. Above the file list, you can see a folder hierarchy so you can move up and down between folders.

On the upper left, you can upload a file, which can have a note attached. While uploading, a little progress bar appears below the file list, so you can approximate how much longer the upload will take.

Last but not least, you can create a folder by typing its name in the create folder field and pushing the button. Folders can be deleted like files, using the little trash icon, but only if they are empty and not being used by someone else.

The Good Is a very easy way to share files with many users, no matter where they are, no matter how big the files might be. Can be customized to look the way you want it to. Easily handles, many transfers sites, each with as many users as you need. Comprehensive, easy to read documentation.

The Bad It is missing a very few minor things like a file deletion confirmation dialog, the notes that you can attach to files don't seem to appear or be used anywhere, and the documentation mentions nothing.

The Truth It is not complex or flexible enough for a full blown FTP server, like PureFTPd, however, it is ideal for those users who only want the functionality in a easy to use presentation. It requires no advanced knowledge to set up and use so it's perfect for sharing information with less tech savvy people. Give it a try, it is certainly one of the best FTP server solutions out there.

Here are some screenshots, click to enlarge:

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user interface 5
features 4
ease of use 5
pricing / value 4


final rating 5
Editor's review
excellent
 
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