File Sharing Checkbox / FTP

We are in process of setting up a new Mac Server where we want to use as an FTP server. All HELP and tutorials indicate that the first thing you do is go to Preferences > Sharing > and check the "File Sharing" selection where you can then indicate to share as an FTP. However, when we go to the Mac-Server > Preferences > Sharing, it does not list "File Sharing" as an option to check. Any ideas why File Sharing is not listed as a possible sharing item?

It sounds like you're in the wrong place - you're using System Preferences, right?
System Preferences -> Sharing is where the FTP server is controlled in Mac OS X client
In Mac OS X Server it's configured and controlled via Server Admin (or Server Preferences if running in the 'easy' mode).

Similar Messages

File sharing is too automatic

I have two computers on my home LAN. One is an older iMac (let's call it Homer) and the other is a newer MacBook (let's call it Bart).
Bart is connected wirelessly to my wireless router. Homer is connected via Ethernet to the same router.
I have enabled file sharing and FTP access on both computers. On Homer, I have also enabled Printer Sharing, because I have a printer connected.
When working on Bart, I can Go:Network from the Finder, and a window opens, where I can see a shortcut for Homer. If I click Homer and Connect, I see a "Connect to Server" dialog. I can connect as "Guest" or "Registered User". The username and password for my main account on Homer is already filled in, along with the "Remember password in keychain" checkbox. I click Connect. This opens a dialog that allows me to select the mounted volume "Homer HD" or my username. If I click "Homer HD", I can see the top folder on the hard drive, run applications that exist only on Homer, and search public folders. This is all the way I want it.
When working on Homer, if I Go:Network, I see a shortcut for Bart. If I click Bart and Connect, my main user directory on Bart opens up immediately without any dialogs, and I can't see anything above Bart, such as Bart's Applications folder or public folders.
Can anybody help me figure out what is wrong, why my connection is bypassing the choices I want, and fix it so I can access everything when working from Homer?
Thanks

I've done a little digging, and here's what I found out so far.
I can open Safari, and type the afp://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx where the x's are the IP of of the macbook on the LAN. When I do this, I get a connection as I desired. I can mount any disk connected to the laptop, or mount my home directory. If I attempt to connect using the icon that shows in the Finder, it attempts to connect by FTP, which is not what I want.
However, from the macbook to the iMac, double-clicking the icon opens an afp connection to the iMac.
So now that I understand what's happening a little better, I can refine the question. How do I set up my iMac so that I open an afp connection rather than a ftp connection when I open the icon representing the macbook in the finder.

Personal File Sharing between Remote Networks

Trying to connect my Mac (OS 10.4.9) in one state to a Mac in another state (OS 10.3.9). I am connected to the internet via Airport. Second Mac is connected to the internet via DSL modem. With file sharing turned on, on both computers, and firewalls turned off (System Preferences: Sharing: Firewall Off), neither computer can connect to either computer via Personal File Sharing (I went to Go: Connect to server... Then entered the correct IP address).
Also, have not been able to use my computer as an FTP server (System Preferences: Sharing: FTP Access On) such that the second computer can connect via Cyberduck (FTP client software).
I know little about all this, but in my research over the last two days I am unsure why my efforts have not worked (for either Personal File Sharing or FTP connections). the following two Support pages on Personal File Shariing have not worked for me:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107369
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106661
iMac G5 2GHz Mac OS X (10.4.9)

What is a NAT router? Your suggestion to use a file
storage service as an alternative sounds like it
might be a good idea for me. It's just that the Apple
Support articles made file sharing sound so simple
(i.e. "This allows Macintosh computers in remote
locations to share files with any type of Internet
connection").
This is like saying the Interstate highway system makes it easy to drive from one city to another. It's true, but you need to know something about driving first. Similarly, you need to know something about Internet traffic.
To continue with the highway analogy, let's say your data is like a car. Actually, it's a packet with addressing information inside. The key addresses are source and destination IP addresses. When inside your town, or LAN, it's got local addresses. Maybe your computer is 10.1.1.2 and your printer is 10.1.1.3 and a car destined from your computer to your printer has a source of 10.1.1.2 and a destination of 10.1.1.3. This is like saying take a left at Main Street.
But there are maybe millions of Main Streets. Where this all changes is where we go out to the Interstate, or global Internet. Your router is your gateway to this traffic. It has two interfaces, one side talks to your locality and it has a number like 10.1.1.1, and another side which talks to the global Internet and might have a number like 71.126.45.113. As your car goes through this router, it's source number changes to become that of the router (71.126.45.113). This is so it can find its way back, and others can follow. The local address has no meaning out here. When it (or rather another car) returns, the router swaps the addresses back and sends it to the local network. This process is called NAT (Network Address Translation).
Now, the problem you find is that you can reach the destination router, and what you want is to get to another machine in that locality, but there is no local destination. You get to the toll booth at the end of the Interstate, but the toll taker doesn't know where you want to go. This is where ports come in. Your car has a number which corresponds to a service. In this case, the port is 548 and the services is Apple Filing Protocol over TCP. The toll taker know this. "Oh yes, Mrs. Johnson on First Street handles afpovertcp. Take a left on Main Street." This is called port-forwarding. You set the router to send requests for port 548 to the machine you want shared.
Another possibility would be to disable NAT. This has some drawbacks. If you have more than one machine, you may violate your contract with your ISP. You also open yourself up to certain attacks and need to be much more careful. There's another possibility called DMZ, but that's like disabling NAT for one machine.
I hope this clarifies things. You need to use the addresses of the routers, and forward the ports you wish to use. There's one more consideration: unless you have static IP addresses, those are likely to change. You can use a service like www.dyndns.com to use a host/domain name to connect your machines. It's free and easy.
Powerbook G4, iMac (Intel), and tons of hardware sitting in the closet Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Personal file sharing has problems...

I have a very plain, basic network here at home. I have a 8 port switch that connects all of my computers to my network. These include several that are connected wirelessly (2 ibooks, MacBook, PowerBook) and 2 wired connections in a Mac Pro and a Digital Audio 466 Power Mac. All are running 10.4.8. Until just recently I have been able to file share between all computers without problems. Now I cannot connect to or from the Power Mac through any file sharing. The Power Mac has no problems accessing the internet nor do I problems observing the PowerMac with Apple Remote Desktop.
I have checked all network/sharing settings and can't seem to find anything out of the ordinary.
Any ideas?
Paxx

Hi,
In System Preferences/Sharing, has the "Personal
File Sharing" checkbox been un-checked? Or has a
firewall been turned on on the PowerMac ?
Are there any errors in system.log in
/var/log ?
Also, are there any errors posted in
AppleFileServiceError.log in
/Library/Log/AppleFileService ?
Ed
PB G4 Mac OS X
(10.3.9) PM G4 Dual 1.25, PM G4 Dual 867, OSX
10.2.8, OSX Server 10.2.8
Ed, thanks for the suggestions I will have a look tomorrow. System prefs I know are right but didn't think to see if there has been a firewall or errors posted in the logs. thanks for the suggestions.

Lion will not allow AFP file sharing

After upgrading my iMac to Lion, I tried to turn on File Sharing, but it would not allow it - I'd check the box, it would refuse the check. I had to go in to Options and check SMB Sharing to get File Sharing to work. However, I'd like to use AFP file sharing, not SMB. I still cannot turn on AFP sharing - I check the box, it unchecks itself in 1/2 a second.
My Macbook Pro was upgraded a couple months ago, and it does not have this issue. What am I missing?

I had this same problem so I opened the console application and viewed all messages. Then I tried to check the File Sharing checkbox and noticed that two new entries showed up.
3/31/12 9:21:05.415 PM com.apple.coreservicesd: launch_msg(): Socket is not connected
3/31/12 9:21:05.645 PM com.apple.coreservicesd: bind(): Address already in use
Each time I tried to check the checkbox, I received the same messages. I could of done more detective work but Address already in use may be some kind of memory leak issue or something so I simply rebooted my Mac Pro and then I was able to check the box and it stuck this time. Also, I was able to share my file like I intended.

File Sharing Prefence Missing in Sharing Preferences

Hello,
As the title states the "File Sharing" checkbox is completely missing from the "Sharing" panel in System Prefences.
I have never seen this before and did a Google search which only revealed 1 result which was never answered.
Here's what I see in my Sharing panel right now:
DVD or CD Sharing
Screen Sharing
Scanner Sharing
Remote Login
Remote Management
Remote Apple Events
Bluetooth Sharing
I have a PowerMac G5 running Mac OS 10.5.8 and it doesn't have this problem, in fact I am using file sharing on it right now.
If anyone needs anymore information please ask, this is very important to me and need it fixed ASAP.
Thanks in advance for any help.

My system is running 10.6.4, would reinstalling it help? I only did a fresh install of Mac OS 10.6 about a month ago, did all of the updates though Software Update including the 10.6.4 Combo and copied over all of my data. But if reinstalling the combo update would actually help then I'm willing to do it.

How do I connect a Maverick imac and a snow leopard mac pro file sharing

I am trying to connect an imac running Maverick, and an older mac pro 1,1 running snow leopard. The mac pro does not have airport. I have tried connecting using my wireless router: mac pro ethernet conencted and wifi with imac, but I either cannot connect or it takes forever. I need a more reliable solution. I bought an airport card for the mac pro. I hurt my foot, and am laid up, and have to access the massive files on the mac pro and external drives with the imac. They are about 75 feet apart. The imac uses the wirteless router just fine, which is next to the mac pro. Which is the better solution, buying a long enough eitehrnet cable, and direct connect, or install the airport card and connect using airport? One more concern, I noticed my neighbor has a mac, and his mac keeps showing up on the network as a lockede but selectable mac. I am concerned about my security. Which is best, and what is the sequence to set it up? I can see that a step by step process with proper sequence and settings is critical to get tis to work. Thanks for any help.

How are you currently trying to connect? The easiest method for setting up across operating systems would be to connect using AFP, the standard protocol Macs use to share files over a network (though, SMB2 is now the default method in Mavericks). Are you attempting to simply transfer data from one machine to the other, or set up a local network between these machines? If it is the former, the easiest method may be to use an external HDD to copy data from one machine and then transfer it to the other.
See below for AFP:
Mac Basics: File Sharing - Support - Apple
And a youtube video:
Mac 10.6 OS X Tutorial - File Sharing -AFP FTP and SMBS - Video ...
One more concern, I noticed my neighbor has a mac, and his mac keeps showing up on the network as a lockede but selectable mac.
This is normal. You would need to explicitly grant your neighbor access to your machine for him to access anything on the machine, just as you need to do the same with your own computer you are attempting to connect.

Remote file sharing

I am currently in USA and am trying to connect to my mac in UK to get a large file. I have followed the support page instructions but have been unable to connect. Any suggestions.

Hi - that really depends on your son's router. Every router that I know of has a webpage to do configuration stuff. Your son would access it by typing something like http://192.168.0.1 in Safari. If he looks in his System Preferences Network TCP/IP stuff, the IP address of the router as listed there is what he needs to use in place of my 192.168.0.1 example.
Once there, there are one, maybe three, things that he will probably have to do.
Step 1: First, he'll need to turn on file sharing in his Mac as discussed in my previous post. Then, he'll have to navigate his way to a "port forwarding" configuration webpage on his router. On my ActionTec all-in-one combo DSL modem + wired&wireless access point + router, I go into "Advanced Settings" then there is a link to "port forwarding." Once there, you would enter a port range of 548 to 548, protocol is TCP, and your son's computer's name or its intranet (192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x) IP address. Save changes and reboot router.
If it doesn't let him do that, it may be because the router doesn't track computers on its LAN by their ethernet port's or Airport wireless' MAC address, but rather by IP address, so it will only let him forward ports to machines that don't have a dynamically assigned IP address by the router. If that's the case, on to step 2:
Step 2: there should be a link in the advanced setup junk for DHCP Server in one of the router's configuration webpages. He should be able to set a range of DHCP-assigned IP addresses. Does this range of numbers run the whole gamut of the whole subnet? That is to say, if the subnet mask is 255.255.255.0, does the beginning and ending IP addresses run from, say, 192.168.0.2 to 192.168.0.254? If so, restrict the range to something smaller, like 192.168.0.101 to 192.168.0.254. Note: Don't mess with the first three numbers if his are different than my example here, i.e., the 192.168.0 part, only change the last number. I will continue to use the 192.168.0 in my examples, for example only. Leave the subnet alone. Once he's made this change, save changes and reboot router.
In his Mac's System Preferences Network TCP/IP, choose "Using DHCP with manual address" and manually enter an IP address for his Mac. Using my example, choose something between 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.100, i.e., something outside the DHCP assigned address range (BTW, x.x.x.254 is as big as the numbers can be, so he needs to pick something less than that x.x.x.101 number). Then apply the change.
If we even had to do step 2, we're getting close to finishing up now. Time for Step 3.
Step 3: Go back into the router's "port forwarding" configuration webpage. Now that he has a range of static IP addresses available (static are 192.168.0.2 - 192.168.0.100 since he specified the range of dynamic addresses to be 192.168.101 -192.168.0.254), he should be able to do Step 1 now.
Post file retrieval: Once you have successfully retrieved the file, your son needs to go back into the port forwarding configuration webpage and delete that port forward. People might disagree with me on this, but it is my understanding that AFP file transfers are not encrypted, so however unlikely, a sniffer at the right place at the right time could have intercepted your username and password and could then have AFP upload and download privileges with your son's computer. Or hack his way in via that open port and do other nasty stuff to him or to others, using his computer to do it. That's why I tunnel my AFP stuff through secure shell, in order to encrypt the username/password, and data transfer, but if you're not comfortable with Terminal.app, it might be perceived to be a bit daunting to set up.
Once the port forward is deleted, have him save changes in his router and reboot router. And your son should go back into his Mac's System Preferences Network TCP/IP, and choose "Using DHCP" (no longer with manual address) and apply changes. Also, he'll need to pay a visit to his System Preferences Sharing Services and uncheck the "file sharing" checkbox and make sure the firewall is still ON.
There is no harm in leaving the range of assigned DHCP addresses to be the x.x.x.101 to x.x.x.254 range in the router, unless your son has more than 154 computers and networked peripherals attached to his home LAN. However, if desired, he can go back to the DHCP Server configuration webpage and change it back to the way it was.
Also, I suppose it is possible that every time he reboots his router, that his ISP could conceivably assign him a new public IP address. He'll need to check that out and if it changes on him, he'll need to text IM you with the new public IP address. He can get it from http://whatsmyipaddress.com.
All this having been said, http://portforward.com/cports.htm can provide him with some guidance for forwarding ports on his specific make and model of router (if it is listed), although I don't see anything specific there for forwarding ports for Apple File Protocol, AFP, or port 548. So just pick something like Apple Remote Desktop and follow those general guidelines for your son's specific router, just don't use the port numbers they say, use port 548 for TCP instead.
And lastly, if your son's home network architecture looks like this:
internet<-->modem<--> (non-wireless) router<-->Airport Extreme base station or some other other wireless access point<-->computer,
or like this:
internet<-->modem<--> wired/wireless router<-->computer,
then if the above directions still aren't working for you, we're going to have to dig into likely mismatched configurations between those different devices.
So, did I just make your day or what?

Simple file sharing question. Bug?

How do I simply add or edit a file using File Sharing or FTP to the Sites directory to serve a web page?
In Snow Leopard I was able to edit a page from another Mac and save the file. In Lion any pages edited via File Sharing/FTP cannot be displayed any more.
If I edit the page locally the page saves and can be displayed.
If I edit the page via File Sharing/FTP (logging on as the same user) a permissions error is displayed in the browser.

How do I simply add or edit a file using File Sharing or FTP to the Sites directory to serve a web page?
In Snow Leopard I was able to edit a page from another Mac and save the file. In Lion any pages edited via File Sharing/FTP cannot be displayed any more.
If I edit the page locally the page saves and can be displayed.
If I edit the page via File Sharing/FTP (logging on as the same user) a permissions error is displayed in the browser.

Server FTP File Sharing

How do I activate the VPN, FTP, and File Sharing on my server? Also, is there a way to access my server from another machine without using my IP address without port forwarding and/or registering an internet host name? Also, I have another post on how to use VPN on server, found here: https://discussions.apple.com/message/22026213#22026213
Please answer to both of these posts, I really want to make this server thing work.

Do you know how to connect to my server without knowing the IP of the host and without registering for a internet domain name or port forwarding?
This is absolutely not possible. To connect to a remote server, somebody somewhere has to enter the identity of the target server among the billions of net-connected devices.
Now can that information be loaded into a client device, and can an end-user avoid having to know about these and other details of networking? Sure. What's variously called "provisioning" is a common approach used here.
There are other approaches available which can be useful on different and often on smaller networks, such as what Apple calls Bonjour; variously known as multicast DNS services and service discovery.
There are other potential solutions.
Also, does anyone know how to specially protect a folder in File Sharing?
Sure. Usually with what's called a file mode or protection mask, or via access control lists.
Whether the protections are effective depends greatly on who you're protecting against, and how the files are being shared.
My server at school only allows certain users to access certain folders, but when I connect to my server I have the same username so I don't need to enter any kind of log in.
Why not ask the folks that run the server for information? You are affiliated with a school, and the purpose of such institutions is to learn, after all. Ask some questions of the folks that are running the configuration you're familiar with.
If it's a typical educational configuration, there'll be a "directory" — Microsoft Active Directory is common, though there are others — containing information mapping your identity to what you're authorized to access or do, as well as a variety of other information such as your identity and your email address and which mail server you're using for accessing your mail.
Can you password protect the folder?
Directly? Not really. Details here depend greatly on the operating system and file system involved, and on how the files are being served, and how the files will be accessed. File-level encryption can be used, and web servers can protect folders, and various operating systems including OS X support what are called encrypted disk images. Web content management systems can also provide access controls, too.
Rather than continuing this blizzard of questions, please consider providing us with some background on the problem you're looking to solve here, and some of the general requirements. There can be many potential solutions, and even more wrong solutions. With some idea of what you're looking to do, we might be able to give you something more specific to look into.
As for learning more about OS X and OS X Server and server networking — all of which can provide some background and can introduce a number of these general topic areas — see the OS X Server documentation, and — for yet more detailed information — see the 10.6 server documentation that's linked from there. The older 10.6 OS X Server documentation was much more detailed.

FTP File Sharing

Howdy. I do produce video and audio for people. I am doing a project now where the clients dont even live in the same town or state. I would like to have a Mac Mini set up in the future where i can put the file on the hard drive and then send a link in an email to the client and then have a link or instructions on there to tell them how to get to the file they are supposed to get. That way i can send multi gig files to them and they can down load them on their own time and i dont have to waste discs and postage mailing things over night. I would need something where they can not acess any of the other files for other clients on there only the ones for them. Does anybody know of such a software or how to do it. I am needing something similar to a Digidelivery server made by Digidesign. http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?navid=38&langid=100& Thanks for the help.

Would anonymous FTP work for the situation?
Are you just trying to do a drop box? are you trying to make this available for internet visitors?
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=confi guremac+anonymousftp&spell=1
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/mac/2005/03/04/ftp.html
Make your life simple and get Sharepoints, and use Apple's built in file sharing.

Is FTP server better than common file sharing

what is better : ftp server or common file sharing on server
i need to convince the management that ftp server is better than file sharing on server but i need some strong security points.

I agree on DropBox.
In DropBox, Favorite (Star) the files (documents, MP3...) when you are on-line. They will be available when you are off-line. Test access to your files in Airplane mode before you leave home.
To bring the document into an app (e.g., Pages), use 'Open In..'.. the MP3, you can just tap in DropBox.
There are solutions to get files back from different apps to DropBox, but honestly it is probably just easiest to email it to yourself (and then use your Mac to copy the final file back to DropBox for reference purposes).
Have a good vacation.

FTP File Sharing protect documents

I have three computers. FTP is working fine but it is too broad. I only want the public folder to be visible to each other computer. The other two computers are a G-4 and an iMac. Can I limit access or protect other files?

Would anonymous FTP work for the situation?
Are you just trying to do a drop box? are you trying to make this available for internet visitors?
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=confi guremac+anonymousftp&spell=1
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/mac/2005/03/04/ftp.html
Make your life simple and get Sharepoints, and use Apple's built in file sharing.

File sharing - can't see a Mac that's asleep

Trying to setup file sharing between my Mac (PBook G4) and a team member's Mac. Problem: I can't access the other Mac through the Network or Go menu (using IP number) when the other Mac is asleep. I have to go over to the other machine, wake it (just moving the mouse is sufficient), then return to my Mac. Not convenient, especially when working from home.
I tried assigning a fixed IP address to each machine hoping it was a problem with network identity (we have a strange network). No luck. Any thoughts?
My Mac:
PowerBook G4, 10.4.2
Sharing settings: Personal File Sharing ON
Firewall: Off (no real reason why -- just haven't turned it on yet)
Other Mac:
G4, 10.3.9
Sharing: Personal File Sharing, Windows Sharing, FTP Access ON
Firewall: ON (PFS and Windows checked to allow them through)
PS - Eventually want to use SharePoints to establish OS9-like sharing rights.

Putting the hard drive to sleep is an additional option in the energy saver system preference. Unlike display or system sleep, there is no time-to-sleep slider for this; it is an on or off checkbox at the bottom of the pane. When checked, the hard drive will spin down if it hasn't been accessed for a while, even if the system is awake. When the system next needs to access the drive, there is a delay while the drive spins up, but it does not otherwise have any effect on the system's sleep or wake state.
If your software claims it can wake the Mac, it is referring to waking the system. If it doesn't do that, you should contact its maker for assistance with the appropriate settings, for upgrades that might be needed for Tiger, etc.

Problem using File sharing in a small office network

I have a problem using File sharing on an Imac and Macbook Pro.
My office has a small network running Windows Small office file server 2003. I have one Windows 2000 PC connected to it and 3 Macs, an 2.4 gHz Intel iMac running Leopard 10.5.6 , a MBP running the same and a Mac Mini running 10.5.
From the Finder Shared window of the Mac Mini, I can see all the computers on the network. It also used to be the case for the iMac, but the MBP could never see the Windows PC’s, not the server or the Win2000. This wasn’t a big problem as I was communicating between the Macs and using the shared printer on the iMac.
On Monday Jan 19 the iMac was suddenly unavailable to the other 2 Macs. It was working normally on the Friday. The iMac can access the Mac Mini and copy files to it. The Mac Mini can see the iMac but cannot access it. Even trying to connect as, ends in a failed connection. I have tried rebooting, turning File sharing off and then on again to no avail.
The iMac now also cannot see the Windows PC’s which it previously could.
To get files from the MBP for printing, I now copy it to the Mac Mini and acces the folder from the iMac, a very tedious procedure. I don’t know why this happened and am scared that the Mac Mini is going to do the same thing.
All three computers are also running VMware 2.0 with Windows XP pro, and from VMware the server is visible on all the computers.
Any help will be much appreciated, I live in a small town in South Africa and the local computer suppliers have no knowledge of the Macs.
I think that the problem with the iMac may have started after a software upgrade to 10.5.6 but I am not entirely sure.
Thank you
ajdk

Well, you're current method sounds pretty good. But if you want to user a file server, hey go ahead.
What you want to do when you centralize project files is to keep track of which one is the newest and becareful not to overwrite files with the same name. So you either have to set up individual spaces on the server (separate AFP/FTP folders maybe), or you'll need to run a file checkout service.
The individual space is cheaper, but it's not much of a difference from backing up to the network drive. Since you have Gigabit connections, you might even opt to save ALL the user files on the server instead of just the project files.
If you want to run a file checkout service, there's two approaches. You can run a service that can host any kind of file, or you can run a version control system for each kind of application (Photoshop, Word, etc.). Please notice, that as you read further and further along, the methods become more and more expensive and complicated. Once you get to this point, it will be necessary to purchase or build software in addition to the Mac OS X Server package.

File Sharing Checkbox / FTP

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