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Asked: 2024-09-24T07:09:14+05:30 In:

How can I set up and operate a TFTP server on Ubuntu?

I’ve been trying to set up a TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) server on my Ubuntu machine, and honestly, it feels like I’ve hit a wall. I’ve read a bunch of guides online but they all seem to skip over the nitty-gritty details, and I’m definitely not a networking expert. I was hoping someone could guide me through the whole process without assuming I know too much.

First off, I’m using Ubuntu 20.04, but if the version matters, just let me know. What I’m really struggling with is how to install the TFTP server software. I’ve seen mentions of using `apt-get`, but then there are also different software options like `tftpd-hpa` and `atftpd`, and I’m just confused about which one is better for a beginner like me.

Once I get it installed, how do I even configure it? I want to make sure it’s secure since it’s going to be on a network, but again, most tutorials just say to edit some config file without explaining what each option does. I’d love to know what the essential settings are that I should pay attention to.

Then there’s the part about testing. How do I verify that the TFTP server is actually running properly? I’ve got a few client machines I want to connect, and I need to upload and download some files. If anyone has had experience with those tests, a little guidance would go a long way.

Lastly, I heard something about firewalls and making sure the right ports are open—what’s the deal with that? Do I need to change anything in UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall), or can the default settings just stay as they are?

I’d appreciate step-by-step instructions or any resources that you found helpful. It feels like I’m stumbling around in the dark here, and I really want to get this running so I can work on some projects that require file transfers. Thanks in advance for any help!

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    1. Setting Up TFTP Server on Ubuntu 20.04

      Setting Up TFTP Server on Ubuntu 20.04

      Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up a TFTP server on your Ubuntu machine. Don’t worry; I’ll keep it straightforward!

      1. Installing TFTP Server Software

      For beginners, I recommend using tftpd-hpa. It’s a popular choice and pretty easy to manage. To install it, open your terminal and run:

      sudo apt-get update
      sudo apt-get install tftpd-hpa

      This will install the TFTP server software.

      2. Configuring TFTP Server

      Now, let’s configure it! Open the configuration file using a text editor. You can use nano like this:

      sudo nano /etc/default/tftpd-hpa

      You’ll see some lines that might look like:

      RUN_DAEMON="yes"
OPTIONS="-l --secure /srv/tftp"

      Make sure you have the following options in your file:

      • RUN_DAEMON=”yes” – This starts the TFTP daemon.
      • OPTIONS=”-l –secure /srv/tftp” – This specifies the directory for TFTP and secures it from access to other files.

      You can change /srv/tftp to any directory you prefer! Just create it using:

      sudo mkdir /srv/tftp

      Then set permissions to ensure users can write files:

      sudo chmod 777 /srv/tftp

      Save the file in nano by pressing CTRL + X, then Y, and Enter.

      3. Restarting TFTP Server

      After configuring, you need to restart the service:

      sudo systemctl restart tftpd-hpa

      4. Testing Your TFTP Server

      To check if your TFTP server is running, try to upload and download a file. First, create a test file:

      echo "Hello TFTP" | sudo tee /srv/tftp/testfile.txt

      Now, from a client machine, install a TFTP client if you haven’t:

      sudo apt-get install tftp

      Then, test downloading the file:

      tftp your_ubuntu_ip_address
      get testfile.txt

      If the file downloads successfully, your server is working! You can also try uploading with:

      put your_local_file.txt

      5. Firewall Settings with UFW

      Lastly, check your firewall settings. TFTP uses port 69. You need to allow this port in UFW. Open terminal and run:

      sudo ufw allow 69/udp

      This command opens the port for TFTP. You may verify your UFW status with:

      sudo ufw status

      Final Notes

      And that’s it! You should have a working TFTP server now. For more complex setups and security options, consider reading additional documentation. Good luck, and feel free to ask more questions if you’re stuck!



    2. To set up a TFTP server on your Ubuntu 20.04 machine, the recommended choice for beginners is tftpd-hpa, as it is relatively easier to configure and widely supported. First, you can install it by running the following command in your terminal:
      sudo apt-get install tftpd-hpa. After installation, you need to configure the TFTP server. Open the configuration file at /etc/default/tftpd-hpa in a text editor with sudo privileges. Update the options to reference the directory where you want to store TFTP files (for example, --secure /srv/tftp) and ensure that the server is enabled (set RUN_DAEMON="yes"). Make sure that the directory exists and has the correct permissions using sudo mkdir /srv/tftp and sudo chmod -R 777 /srv/tftp to allow full access.

      Once you have configured your TFTP server, restart the service with sudo systemctl restart tftpd-hpa and check its status using sudo systemctl status tftpd-hpa to confirm it’s running. To test the server, you can use the command tftp localhost from the terminal on your server to enter the TFTP client. Try uploading and downloading a file using put and get . Regarding firewalls, you need to ensure that the TFTP port (UDP 69) is open. You can do this by allowing it with UFW by running sudo ufw allow 69/udp. This will help ensure that the TFTP server can communicate properly on your network. Once these steps are followed, your TFTP server should be functional, allowing you to transfer files seamlessly between your machines.


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