Not AH related but need some help with FTP

[Sparks]

I'm looking for some help if possible from you networking gurus.  Please understand I am working at the edge of my knowledge here.  Please also understand that although this is a work related problem, it is for me personally to make my life easier. Therefore, although engineering guys here know what I'm doing,  they do not have the time to help me for something that is for me only.

First a description of the situtation - I work on a standalone system which basically consists of a collection of boxes running Linux and connected by ethernet. At the heart of it is a storage unit (Head End) which stores all the software which each of the other boxes needs. When we need to do a system upgrade or install we hook up a laptop and upload the software to the Head End,  disconnect the laptop and distribute the software round the system from the Head End.  These laptops are nothing special but when you need a company one in a hurry there's never one around !!

The laptops run XP Pro.

Now when the upload to the Head End is carried out the Head End requests the files from the laptop via ftp - the Head End acting in this instance as the client and the laptop as the ftp server.  

Now I want to set up my personal laptop to do this so that if I'm in a bind and can't get a company one (for instance at 2:00am out on the line) I can use my own.  However my personal laptop has XP Home installed which as I understand it does NOT have ftp Server installed. Soooo I have downloaded a shareware server called Ability FTP.  Here is the problem.
When the Head End requests the files it logs in and looks for the files in "f:" which should be the CD drive of the laptop.  However the shareware server I have will not let me set up that access.  I can set up virtual folders and even set say a virtual folder of /CDROM which points to f:/ and if I log in to Localhost using the required username and password I can see the contents of the CD under that virtual folder.  What I cannot do is get the name "f:" as a virtual folder or by any other access. The lookup for the Head End is hard coded into that unit and cannot be changed so I have to be able to somehow get f: to be an accessable entity on my ftp server.

Does anyone have any ideas or even know what I'm talking about ??

Any and all help appreciated.

Sparks

[Vipermann]

The FTP server software your using won't let you setup your CDROM as a drive to share? If this is the case then I would suggest trying a different FTP server program, I use Bulletproof FTP and love it.

If it is a matter of drive letter you could change your CDROM drive letter to F: on your laptop.

[Sparks]

Thx for the Reply Viperman.

I looked at that BulletProof software but it only appears to be a Client.  

What I have to set up is a FTP Server on my machine that allows a client to log in and see f: as a directory or drive.

Still looking.............

Anyone any ideas ??  Swoop - Bloom - anyone ??

Sparks

[Vipermann]

Originally posted by Sparks
I looked at that BulletProof software but it only appears to be a Client.  

They do make a client but they also make a server version. The link is below.

http://www.bpftpserver.com/

I use this software and I was able to setup a virtual F: drive that was actually K: on the server.

[Sparks]

Big and thankyou for the link Vipermann.

I didn't see that page - I have downloaded the Server Version and will have a play with it over the next day or so.

Thankyou again.

Sparks

[Sparks]

Vipermann I owe you - this software works a treat and the support is excellent.  I tried it out but it didn't work at first because I hadn't understood a couple of setup options properly.  I e-mailed a request for help last night with screen shots of setup options etc but didn't really expect a reply.  Cmae in to work this morning and reply was there.  Carried out their instructions and BINGO !! all works as required.

This is a BIG help for me so thankyou again.



Sparks

[Vipermann]

glad I could help

-=S=-
Viper