TrueNAS CORE Community Release Documentation
This content documents the end of life 13.3 TrueNAS Community release. Archival documentation is provided for reference only and not actively maintained. Use the Product and Version selectors above to view content specific to another TrueNAS release.
Configuring FTP
2 minute read.
The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a simple option for data transfers. SSH provides secure transfer methods for critical objects like configuration files, while TFTP provides simple file transfer methods for non-critical files.
FTP connections cannot share connections with other accounts, such as SMB connections. FTP requires a new dataset and a local user account.
Go to Storage > Pools to add a new dataset.
See Creating Datasets for information on creating the dataset. After you create the dataset, it appears nested beneath the pool.
Next, go to Accounts > Users > Add to create a local user on the TrueNAS.
Assign a user name and password. Link the new dataset for the FTP share as the home directory of the user. Link the new dataset for the FTP share on a per-user basis, or create a global account for FTP (example: OurOrgFTPacnt).
By default, only members of the ftp group can authenticate via FTP. Add your newly created user to the ftp group, or change this behavior in the FTP service configuration:
- Enable Allow Local User Login to allow any local user to authenticate
- Enable Allow Anonymous Login to allow anonymous connections without authentication
Dataset permissions are configured separately and control what files authenticated users can access.
Return to Storage > Pools, find the new dataset, and click more_vert> Edit Permissions. In the Owner fields, select the new user account as the User and Group from the dropdown list. Be sure to select Apply User and Apply Group before saving.
To configure FTP, go to the Services page, find the FTP entry, and click the edit.
Configure the options according to your environment and security considerations. See FTP Screen.
Enable chroot to confine FTP sessions to a local user home directory and allow Local User Login.
Unless necessary, do not allow anonymous or root access. For better security, enable TLS when possible. This creates FTPS. Enable TLS when FTP involves a WAN.
Use a browser or FTP client to connect to the TrueNAS FTP share. The images here show using FileZilla, a free option.
The user name and password are those of the local user account on the TrueNAS.
The default directory is the same as the user
