In the world of file transfer protocols, security is of utmost importance. Very Secure FTP Daemon (VSFTPD) is an FTP daemon that establishes a secure connection to FTP servers by creating a secure tunnel that encrypts data flow to and from the server. With VSFTPD, businesses can protect their files from hackers and ensure end-to-end encryption between the user and the FTP server.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of installing VSFTPD on AlmaLinux 9. AlmaLinux is a popular open-source Linux distribution that serves as a drop-in replacement for CentOS. With our detailed instructions, you’ll be able to set up VSFTPD and enhance the security of your file transfers.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the installation process, let’s ensure that you have everything you need:

1. A virtual private server (VPS) running AlmaLinux 9.
2. Access to the root user or a user with sudo privileges.

Now that we have the prerequisites covered, let’s proceed with the installation.

Step 1: Installing VSFTPD

The first step is to install the VSFTPD package on your AlmaLinux 9 VPS. You can do this by executing the following command in your terminal:

dnf install vsftpd -y

This command will download and install the VSFTPD package on your system. Once the installation is complete, we can proceed to start and enable the VSFTPD service.

Step 2: Starting and Enabling VSFTPD Service

To start the VSFTPD service and ensure it starts automatically at system boot, use the following commands:

systemctl start vsftpd
systemctl enable vsftpd

By running these commands, you initiate the VSFTPD service and set it to start automatically whenever your system boots up.

Step 3: Opening the FTP Port

Next, we need to open the FTP port on your system firewall. This step allows external systems to access the FTP service. Execute the following commands to achieve this:

firewall-cmd --add-service=ftp --permanent --zone=public
firewall-cmd --reload

These commands add the FTP service to the firewall’s list of allowed services and reload the firewall configuration to apply the changes.

Note: If you encounter the error message Error: COMMAND_FAILED: 'python-nftables' failed: internal:0:0-0: Error: Could not process rule: Invalid argument, you can resolve it by switching the firewall backend from nftables to iptables. Follow the steps below to make this change:

1. Open the firewall configuration file using the command vi /etc/firewalld/firewalld.conf.
2. Locate the line FirewallBackend=nftables in the configuration file.
3. Change the line to FirewallBackend=iptables.
4. Save the changes and exit the text editor.
5. Restart the firewalld service with the command systemctl restart firewalld.
6. The firewall backend should now be switched to iptables, allowing you to reload the firewall without encountering the previous error.

Step 4: Creating an FTP User

To utilize the FTP service, you need to create an FTP user and set up a password for that user. Follow these steps to accomplish this:

1. Add a new user by executing the command adduser shapehost. Replace “shapehost” with your desired username.
2. Set a password for the user by running the command passwd shapehost. Again, replace “shapehost” with your chosen username.

By completing these steps, you have successfully created an FTP user and set a password for the user.

Step 5: Testing the FTP Connection

To ensure that your VSFTPD installation is working correctly, it’s essential to test the FTP connection. You can use FTP client software like FileZilla or WinSCP to perform this test. Follow these instructions:

1. Launch your FTP client software (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP).
2. In the host field, enter your server’s IP address or hostname. If you’re unsure about this information, consult your hosting provider.
3. In the username field, enter the FTP username you created earlier (e.g., shapehost).
4. Enter the corresponding password for the FTP user.
5. If you have configured a different port for the FTP service, specify it in the port field.
6. Click the connect button to establish the FTP connection.

Once connected, you can navigate through the FTP server’s directory structure, upload or download files, and manage your data securely.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and configured VSFTPD on your AlmaLinux 9 VPS. By implementing VSFTPD, you have enhanced the security of your file transfers and ensured end-to-end encryption between your users and the FTP server.

Remember to regularly update and maintain your VSFTPD installation to stay protected against potential security vulnerabilities. If you encounter any issues during the installation or configuration process, consult the official documentation or seek support from your hosting provider.

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Christian Wells