FTP service on Unix

The ftp server for the Unix cluster runs on ftp.physics.umn.edu. For security reasons, ftp service is disabled on all other systems. FTP is now only available for anonymous login. To access your own files, you should use a secure file transfer system (SCP or SFTP). If you need SFTP software for Windows or Mac, see our SSH software page.

Anonymous FTP allows transfer of files without needing a username and password on the local system.

For most purposes, HTTP (web) access is more convenient for making files available to the outside world. Further instructions are given in the web support pages on using http to replace ftp for file transfers.

If you need to provide file access via anonymous ftp for a special project or purpose, send mail to let us know, and we can set up a directory within the ftp server area for you.

By necessity, the upload service has some restrictions. If you need to upload a file (or have someone upload one for you), this is what to do:

• Connect to the server ftp.physics.umn.edu as user anonymous, giving your email address as the password, and upload the files to the directory /pub/incoming. Note that it is not possible to view or download files from this directory.
• Let the intended recipient of the files know that they have been uploaded (by sending them email, or whatever).
• For the user on our system receiving the files, they can be found in the directory /home/ftp/dropbox (after about 10 minutes), from where they can be retrieved. Unclaimed files are automatically deleted from this area after about 30 days.