Configuring FTP access in Plesk allows you to enable secure file transfer capabilities for users to upload, download, and manage files on your server. Plesk provides a user-friendly interface for managing FTP settings and permissions, making it easy to set up and configure FTP access for websites and users. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to configure FTP access in Plesk:

Accessing Plesk Control Panel:

1. Log in to Plesk:
   • Log in to your Plesk control panel using your administrator credentials.

Enabling FTP Access:

2. Navigate to FTP Access:

   • Once logged in, navigate to the "Websites & Domains" tab from the top menu.

3. FTP Access Settings:

   • Click on the "FTP Access" option under the domain for which you want to configure FTP access. Alternatively, you can access FTP settings under the "Files" tab for the selected domain.

4. Enable FTP Access:

   • Toggle the "FTP access" switch to enable FTP access for the selected domain. This will allow users to connect to the server via FTP protocol using FTP client software.

5. Configure FTP Settings:

   • Specify additional FTP settings, such as FTP username and password, FTP directory, FTP quota, and FTPS (FTP over SSL) settings if desired. You can also choose to enable passive FTP mode for improved compatibility with firewalls and network configurations.

Managing FTP Users:

6. Create FTP Users:

   • To create FTP users, navigate to the "FTP Access" section and click on the "Add FTP Account" button. Enter the username and password for the FTP account, along with any additional settings such as directory access and permissions.

7. Assign FTP Permissions:

   • Assign permissions and directory access for FTP users based on their role and requirements. You can specify the directories or folders that FTP users have access to, restrict access to specific directories, or grant full access to the entire website directory.

Configuring FTP Security:

8. Enable FTPS (FTP over SSL):

   • For enhanced security, consider enabling FTPS (FTP over SSL) to encrypt FTP connections and protect data transfer between the FTP client and server. You can enable FTPS settings in the FTP Access configuration or server-wide settings in Plesk.

9. Restrict IP Access:

   • Restrict FTP access to specific IP addresses or IP ranges to enhance security and prevent unauthorized access. You can configure IP access restrictions in Plesk under the "Tools & Settings" tab > "IP Access Restrictions."

Testing FTP Access:

10. Test FTP Connection:

    • Once FTP access is configured, test the FTP connection using an FTP client software such as FileZilla, WinSCP, or Cyberduck. Enter the FTP server hostname or IP address, FTP username, password, and port (usually port 21 for FTP or port 22 for SFTP).

11. Verify FTP Functionality:

    • Verify that you can connect to the server via FTP, upload and download files, and perform file management tasks without errors. Test FTP access from different network environments and devices to ensure compatibility and accessibility.

Conclusion:

By following these steps, you can easily configure FTP access in Plesk and provide users with secure file transfer capabilities for managing their websites and files on your server. Customizing FTP settings, managing FTP users, and implementing security measures help ensure smooth and reliable FTP access while safeguarding data integrity and confidentiality.