14 DAY TRIAL // Some time has passed since we last had a FTP client here, and today, my choice is a program really close to that, yet different - a FTP server. The main difference is that FTP clients are used for connecting to remote servers, while the FTP servers are used...to create servers, of course!
The FTP servers are not very popular, especially when we're talking about beginners, since there are methods like file upload sites or messaging networks that can take care of their file transfers easier, but what about security and reliability? This is where the FTP realm starts, and it's going to be my pleasure to show you how easy to use yet powerful can be today's program that has the power to setup FTP servers...
The software I am talking about here is called Titan FTP Server and its latest version is 5.31 Build 372. The good news about it is that the 20 days trial version that I have here is fully functional, so you get a full featured FTP server for almost three weeks and don't have to pay nothing for it, but if you would like to use Titan FTP after this period ends, the price you have to pay for it is 59.95$.
The setup package has 7.5MB in size and installing the program is not that hard at all, and all you have to do is pay attention to the information displayed on the screen and follow the instructions. Anyway, if you get something wrong, you'll be able to change settings later, so no problem here. These being said, I think it's time to check the interface and features, as usual...
Although I am used to programs built for advanced tasks to have pretty bad interfaces, this time it's not like that at all. Titan FTP Server has an interface that's well organized, up to date and easy to use. There are a lot of wizards available to help you, and the graphics present here are very good. The elements of the interface are the menu bar, the toolbar, the domains treeview and the main work area. Once we know this, it's time to learn how to create a server and get to know the most important features of the program.
If you are an advanced user of such programs, then you don't need to know how to create a server, but find out about Titan FTP Server's useful features, but if you are a beginner, I still don't have much to say, and there's a good reason for that: wizards!
Before going deep into the areas available from the treeview, you have to setup your local domain, and this is done using a four steps wizard. Once you are finished with this and you start the administration interface of the program, you can connect to your domain and then create a server. The server can be started at system startup, so you won't have to open the main interface for granting access to remote users, if you configured your server right. Obviously, there's another wizard to help you create a new server, and you can access it using the Server menu.
While using the New Server Wizard, you have the occasion to discover the power features packed into this program, and I'll point them out while guiding your steps.
First step lets you enter basic server information, such as name, description, IP address, FTP port, data and log directories and also lets you enable anonymous access, create standard unix directories and start the server when the system server service starts.
Next, you have to choose the authentication database used by the server, and one of the two options available here can use the username/password information from the NT user accounts list.
SSL/FTPS Security Settings...enable or not? If you enable this option, those that will connect to your server will have to use a FTP client able to handle SSl/FTPS connections, but this is a great feature to keep a high security level.
SSH/SFTP is the second secure transfer protocol area available here, and what I just said about SSL/FTPS applies here too, and the difference is that while SSH/SFTP transfers can use a hostkey file, the SSL/FTPS connections use security certificates.
This is it, now you can check the settings you have chosen so far and press the Finish button to have the server created!
Unfortunately, this is only the top of the iceberg. The settings available for your server include compressed data transfers, IP filtering, user groups, advanced logging and monitoring features, and it's needless to say that they are just too easy to use!
It may be my fault, because I know that I am not an expert when it comes to programs like Titan FTP Server, but it was a real pleasure using it and it didn't make me search for the documentation at all. Anyway, the documentation is excellent and can help you a lot, so prepare for the conclusions and start downloading already...
The Good
Titan FTP Server is a power tool that's easy to use and good looking at the same time, having all the features you can think of and even a little extras, its documentation is well done and the full featured evaluation version is a great way to get to know it better.
The Bad
For most home users, the price of this program may seem a bit high, but I wasn't able to find anything else that I may wish to have here at this time...maybe a free license? :)
The Truth
I used Serv-U for a long time and never felt the need for something more, but I can say without being afraid of mistaking that Titan FTP Server is the best server I have seen so far. I hope you'll share with me the joy of this discovery and try the program for yourselves, I am sure you won't be disappointed!
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
