Q and A (FAQ)

1. Why can't I see any paths? I'm getting an "unable to set root directory" when I log into the server...What's the problem?
A. The most likely problem is that the user you logged into the server as doesn't have a root path set up or is set up incorrectly. When you open GuildFTPd, select the user and click the PATHS tab. You should see a path that lists a VIRTUAL PATH of /. This / path must be a / and must exist for every user. You don't have to set it up per user, you can set it up on SYSTEM or on a GROUP the user is in... but, it MUST exist. Check HERE for more information on PATHS.

2. Do I need to check all of the checkboxes under SYSTEM and all of my GROUPS and all of my USERS?
A. SYSTEM - Yes. You need to check all of the options. You can then change each setting to a value that you want to use globally for the server.
GROUPS - No. You only need to check an option if you want to change it's value for every user in that group. So, you might have the inactivity timeout for the system at 30 minutes, but want to change it to 0 (unlimited) for your admin GROUP, you would check the box under the admin GROUP, and change the value from 30 to 0.
USERS - No. The same applies for a USER as a GROUP. The difference is it's just for that user.

3. Why would I set different ports for different GROUPS?
A. There's a few reasons (you may have your own). The major one would be for security reasons. Maybe you only want certain users to be able to upload to your server. If you set the GROUP that your upload USERS are in to a different port, then other users will have a harder time attempting to access your server for the wrong reasons.

4. What's the difference between Virtual and Local Paths?
A. To understand the two, you first must be able to picture the difference between your local drives and folders and the ones you see when you log into the FTP server. Your Local Paths (files and folders) are set up the way you like them. However, you may not want to share all of your files or folders. So, you use the Virtual Path to determine what the USERS see when they log in. So, you can set up different Local Paths that show up as subdirectories when a user logs in.
Like this:

Now you're USERS will see the /MyFiles, /MyStuff, and /Download as subdirectories of /. Just make sure you don't have any duplicate folders (virtual v.s. local) when you set the paths... that could lead to a nightmare.

5. How can I improve my users' upload and download speed?
Let your users know what buffer sizes you're using. You can also modify them, just remember to tell your users. MORE INFO

6. How do you launch the server directly into the taskbar?
A. Well, it's tricky. This is how:
- Start the server
- Press ESC key to send it to the taskbar
- Right-click the icon in the tray
- Select Exit / Click YES
As long as you always shut down the server when it's in the taskbar, it should always launch the next time taskbar'd

7. I've set a passive IP address on the server and I'm forwarding ports 20 and 21 from my firewall/proxy/NAT server. Why can't I connect?
A. You'll need to set up your firewall/proxy/NAT server to forward ports 1024 up to 65,535 to the FTP server in addition to 20 and 21. That large number of ports is used by the passive connection to the FTP server. Each data connection to the FTP server once you've logged in will normally increment the passive port used by one.

8. I have the INACTIVITY and BROWSING TIMEOUTS at 60. Why do I get disconnected after about 10 minutes when I'm not doing anything? Shouldn't it take 60 minutes?
A. There's another setting that can kick a user. Check ADMIN - OPTIONS - AUTOBAN. You've probably got AUTO BAN on NOOP checked. You're probably getting kicked after your FTP client issues the NOOP command to the server. If possible, you could check the server when you're connected and SPY your session. You should see the server issuing the kick after the NOOP if this is the case.

9. I have installed GuildFTPD, but when I try to log in as anonymous, it won't let me in. It claims I have the wrong password. Why?
A. There's a couple more steps you need to complete before you can use GuildFTPD. First, select the anonymous account and change the option (in the lower right window) to set the Account Enable value to Enable. That will allow you to login as anonymous no matter the password. Next, make sure to delete the C: \TEMP path from the PATHS of the account anonymous. You'll probably want to take this opportunity to set the group, temp, with the correct path(s) you want anonymous to have access to. Please keep in mind that the group temp and account anonymous are available after setup to help you, not provide exact default settings.

10. How do I set up my LinkSYS DSL/Cable Router to work with GuildFTPD?
A. This one gets to be long..... so, I made it it's own page. Click HERE.

11. I can't seem to get it to work and I've tried everything. What do you need to know?
A. Here's some tips on what information to include in any email or message board posts when you are having problems:

- What Operating System are you using GuildFTPD on?
- What are the exact error messages you're getting? (425 - no permissions, 550 - unable to set root directory, etc.)
- What FTP client are you using?
- What type of Internet Sharing Device are you using? (LinkSYS Cable/DSL Router, MS Internet Connection Sharing, Norton Firewall, etc.)
- Can you connect to your server from a client on the same PC? (in other words, if you run WS_FTP LE on the same computer as GuildFTPD and try to connect... does it work, or give you the same error?)
- Can you connect from another PC within your network and only external (Internet) users can't get to it?
- Does a different FTP client work? (WS_FTP LE is a very good one to use for testing)

That seems like a lot, but going through some of those can give us a very detailed idea of where the problem might be. If we know what it is or where it's at... we can fix it faster.

12. I'm using Internet Explorer 5.5 to connect to the GuildFTPD server and it works at first. Then, after a download, I try to browse folders and it will give me "unable to connect, permission error". What gives?
A. Check the number of connections you have set for the following in GuildFTPD:
- Max Connections
- Max IP Connections
- Max Account Connections
Now, check how many people are logged in.
IE will open more than one connection (login) to the server and will "eat up" your available number of users. Odds are, you've hit one of the three limits you set. Try increasing each one as you see fit until you are comfortable with the limit and it's affect on IE connections.

13. Why do I need to use a / for my Virtual Path?
A. Some FTP clients are designed to work best when used to connect to a linux/unix system. The / is native to that operating system. In order for GuildFTPd to support the largest number of FTP clients, the code was changed so that the Virtual Path had to be entered with /.