How to start FTP in Redhat 9.0

Redhat 9 comes with the ftp server vsftpd. This is installed by default, but does not run at boot up.

To run vsftpd type: /etc/init.d/vsftpd start

Login to test it by typing ftp localhost at the prompt, and if you get the following, vsftpd is running.

Connected to localhost (127.0.0.1)
220 (vsFTP 1.1.3)
Name:

If you get "connection refused", and the prompt ftp>, then <ctrl>+z will get you back to the normal prompt.

Note: you cannot log into ftp as root, you must have a user set up.

There are several ways to run vsftpd at bootup, and here is one of the simple ones.
To run vsftpd at bootup type:
vi /etc/rc.local (this will open rc.local in the text editor "vi")
Arrow down to the bottom of the text (there may not be any yet, in which case it will be the first line)
type i to enter 'insert' mode, and add....
/etc/init.d/vsftpd start
Press the 'escape' key to exit 'insert' mode.
Then type :w and enter it (writes the file, i.e. saves it)
Followed by :q and enter it (quits the vi text editor)