How to change FTP servers in WHM?

Target Protocol is a vital tool for file transfer through the Internet, with a client on one end of the network and a server on the other. FTP servers are crucial in dealing with website files and data management within web hosting environments. WHM (Web Host Manager) is a highly sophisticated system used by web hosting providers and hosting administrators to manage groups of cPanel accounts and apply configurations at the server level. Updating an FTP server on the WHM in cases of performance improvement or security enhancement or merely installation on a new server might be one of the reasons.

In this Knowledge base, we will walk through the steps to change FTP servers in WHM.

Step 1: Accessing WHM

You must first use your administrator credentials to log into WHM. Entering the URL of your server in your browser and then "/whm" will allow you to enter WHM. For instance, if the URL of your server is "example.com," you may use "https://example.com/whm" in your browser's address bar to access WHM.

Step 2: Navigating to FTP Server Configuration

Once logged in, navigate to the "Service Configuration" section in WHM. This section is in the left-hand sidebar menu. Under "Service Configuration," locate and click on "FTP Server Configuration."

Step 3: Selecting FTP Server Type

In the FTP Server Configuration menu, you will see various options for FTP server types such as Pure-FTPd, ProFTPd, and visited. Choose the FTP server type you want to switch to by clicking its respective icon or link.

Here is brief information about the two FTP servers to help you decide

PureFTPD

It is a default option for the FTP Server.

You can log in to it faster.

It operates on lesser server resources.

More secure.

You can get virtual access to the server on any IP address.

It is compatible with virtual user quotas.

It works well with software RAID systems.

It does not support TLS 1.0

ProFTPD

It offers more options for configurations.

It supports TCPwrapper-based access controls.

You can use .ftpaccess files for per-directory access controls.

It requires more disk storage.

You do not get login notifications.

It does not have brute force protection

Step 4: Configuring FTP Server Settings

After selecting the new FTP server type, you will be presented with configuration options specific to that server type. Review and adjust the settings according to your requirements. These settings may include port numbers, passive FTP settings, encryption preferences, etc.

Step 5: Saving Configuration Changes

Once you have configured the settings for the new FTP server, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the "Save" or "Save Changes" button to apply the changes. WHM will then proceed to update the FTP server configuration accordingly.

Step 6: Restarting FTP Service

To make sure the new settings take effect, it is advised to restart the FTP service after saving the configuration modifications. To accomplish this, go to WHM's "Restart Services" section and choose the FTP service restart option.

Step 7: Testing FTP Connectivity

You should use an FTP client like FileZilla or WinSCP to test FTP connectivity and verify that the FTP server change was successful. Connect to your server with the FTP credentials of one of your cPanel accounts to check that you can upload, download, and manage files without any problems.

Step 8: Monitoring Server Performance

It is crucial to monitor server performance after moving to the new FTP server to ensure it meets your requirements for speed, dependability, and security. Monitor server logs, resource use, and user feedback to spot possible problems and carry out additional optimizations as needed.

Final Words

FTP servers can be easily swapped by accessing WHM; this may result in better security, faster speed, or to satisfy a specific need. Based on the directions recommended in this knowledge base, you can successfully move to your new FTP server to run your website with minimum disturbance or downtime. If you plan to stick to a smooth migration process that you and your users deserve, include server performance monitoring among your testing tools. If you need anything addressed by our cloud server specialists, please do not hesitate to contact us.