Setup FileZilla Server for FTP: A Step-by-Step Guide

FileZilla is a popular FTP client that allows you to manage your website's files securely from your desktop. To set up FileZilla server for FTP, you'll need to generate a pair of SSH keys using PuTTY Key Generator and configure FileZilla to use them. In this tutorial, we'll walk you through the process step by step.

Step 1: Download PuTTY and FileZilla

The first step is to download PuTTY Key Generator and FileZilla from their official websites. Once downloaded, open the application and click the 'Generate' button to create a new pair of SSH keys. You will use this application to generate a private/public key pair and establish a secure connection between your Google Cloud Platform instance and FileZilla.

Step 2: Generate SSH Keys

After clicking the 'Generate' button, move your cursor under the progress bar to generate your SSH key files. Once generated, you'll see two files - a public key file and a private key file. You'll need these files to set up your FileZilla server for FTP.

Step 3: Copy Public Key

Copy the public key text from the top box and download the private key file by clicking the 'Save private key' button. You will use this public key in FileZilla to establish a secure connection with your Google Cloud Platform instance.

Step 4: Configure FileZilla

Open FileZilla, navigate to Edit > Settings, and scroll to the bottom of the Edit page. Click the 'Add item' button and paste the Public Key text that you copied in Step 3 into the box.

Step 5: Upload Private Key

Click the 'Add key file…' button, and select the private key file that you downloaded in Step 3. From the left-hand column of the settings menu, navigate to Connection > FTP > SFTP.

Step 6: Configure Google Cloud Platform

From the hamburger menu in the upper left-hand corner of your Google Cloud Platform dashboard, navigate to Compute Engine > Metadata > SSH Keys. Copy and save the keys After your SSH Key files have been generated, copy the public key text from the top box, and download the private key file by clicking the 'Save private key' button.

With these steps complete, you should now be able to use FileZilla to securely manage your Google Cloud website's files straight from your desktop.

Setup filezilla server ftp