Do any FTP hubs that are running Synchronet have their system set up to allow for FTN mail transfers via FTP? I was thinking of adding this using the built-in ftp server. However, I think I have realized that this might not be possible.

What I did was to set up a file group for "ftn ftp" with a LEVEL requirement. Then I set up a test user with that access level and, under the "ftn ftp" group, I set up a file directory with access requirements set to that test user's user number.

I then placed a test file into that directory.

When I ftp onto the system as that test user, I can access the file group and the file area, but I can only see the 00index file. This makes me think that the user can only see what is in the directory if the files are put there and ADDFILES has run to add them to the BBS file database. Is that correct?

Thanks!

$$
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Re: Hosting FTN FTP with Synchronet?
By: Dumas Walker to All on Thu Mar 27 2025 02:57 pm

When I ftp onto the system as that test user, I can access the file group and the file area, but I can only see the 00index file. This makes me think that the user can only see what is in the directory if the files are put there and ADDFILES has run to add them to the BBS file database. Is that correct?

That's correct: files have to be added to the filebase to be visible for regular users to download via FTP.
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Hey Dumas!

On Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:57:28 -0500, you wrote:

Do any FTP hubs that are running Synchronet have their system set up to allow for FTN mail transfers via FTP? I was thinking of adding this
using the built-in ftp server. However, I think I have realized that
this might not be possible.

While I used pureftpd for FTP FTN transfers quite some time ago, I imagine it would be possible with Synchronet's FTP server. It's fairly simple, although it gets a bit convoluted when you have to move mail bundles.

What I did was to set up a file group for "ftn ftp" with a LEVEL requirement. Then I set up a test user with that access level and, under the "ftn ftp" group, I set up a file directory with access requirements set to that test user's user number.

I then placed a test file into that directory.

This is pretty much laid out correctly, already. When you get to the "place a test file into that directory" part, you would have to run a script that would move the packets/bundles around to the proper folders and then run 'addfiles' either specifically for that/those file areas, or just run it full and it will scan every directory for files that need to be added.

While I don't think packet naming conventions have any kind of node information as far as who it's for, mail bundles can be the node's address in hex format. So your script would have to specifically move the proper named bundles to the correct folders for your links. The scripting part can get a bit involved if you have a lot of links.. but that's about it.

With the rise of binkp and the ease of use of it, FTP links got less and less until I finally only had a few links left and convinced and/or helped them setup a binkp mailer so I could ditch the whole process. ;)

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm: because beating people up is illegal.
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This is pretty much laid out correctly, already. When you get to the "place a test file into that directory" part, you would have to run a script that would
move the packets/bundles around to the proper folders and then run 'addfiles' either specifically for that/those file areas, or just run it full and it will
scan every directory for files that need to be added.

Once the node downloads and removes the datasets, I am guessing the file database would still think they are there?

While I don't think packet naming conventions have any kind of node informatio
as far as who it's for, mail bundles can be the node's address in hex format. So your script would have to specifically move the proper named bundles to the
correct folders for your links. The scripting part can get a bit involved if you have a lot of links.. but that's about it.

I think I have this part covered.

With the rise of binkp and the ease of use of it, FTP links got less and less until I finally only had a few links left and convinced and/or helped them setup a binkp mailer so I could ditch the whole process. ;)

It may be a fool's errand then but something I am curious about.


* SLMR 2.1a * Isn't this where....
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Hey Dumas!

On Fri, 28 Mar 2025 09:48:00 -0500, you wrote:

Once the node downloads and removes the datasets, I am guessing the file database would still think they are there?

Ah, yeah, good call. Mail bundles should definitely be deleted after they are downloaded, otherwise they would just keep downloading them, and trying to toss dupes. In that case, delfiles would be your go-to there.

It may be a fool's errand then but something I am curious about.

It's not foolish, even if in the end it's only for your own enjoyment and/or learning. I wish I could do that with programming. ;)

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm: because beating people up is illegal.
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