File Transfer Protocol (FTP) lets you share files and folders on your network. Use the FTP pane of the Server app to designate an FTP share point. You can also control who has access to FTP share points.
FTP is a commonly used platform-agnostic way to transfer files between computers. A scenario in which you would use FTP instead of File Sharing service is if you’re using the Websites service on your server and want to provide others working on websites you’re hosting with a simple way to upload and download content to your server. The Server app lets you administer FTP separately from the client file sharing protocols (SMB, AFP, and WebDAV) used by File Sharing service. You can also manage FTP access to the shared folders you’re using with File Sharing service. Both of these uses of FTP are administered in the FTP pane of the Server app.
Important: FTP doesn’t provide password or data encryption. When using FTP, make sure your network is securely configured. Instead of using FTP, consider using the scp or sftp command-line tools. These tools securely authenticate and transfer files.
The privileges are set to predefined common settings.
You can change the default behavior of FTP service by defining your own privileges for the FTP share point.
Select FTP in the Server app sidebar.
Decide who gets to use the service, and from which network.
Choose the folder you want to save settings for from the Share pop-up menu.
The folders shown are:
The default document root folder for a single website defined in the Web service pane of the Server app
The default share points for File Sharing service
To change which folders appear in this menu, change the settings for those services. The groups that have access to that folder are shown in the Access table.
Select a group, then modify the access settings for that group.
By default, FTP service is enabled for the site root folder of the first website you’re managing with Websites service. You can designate another folder if you prefer.
The folder you designate applies only to FTP service and not to other File Sharing protocols (AFP, SMB, and WebDAV).
In the FTP pane of the Server app, choose Custom from the Share pop-up menu.
Navigate to where you want the FTP-only file share, then select an existing folder or click the New Folder button to define your share point.
Click Choose.