So i spent allot of time on the web trying to figure out the ftp process and how to do it.

So to get started i want to clairfy that i am using a IBM System x3200 Server at my office with windows server 2003. I do have a local domain. The following are the steps i followed to get my FTP server up and running from server to end user.

How to set up windows server 2003 FTP service or account.

1. This step-by-step article describes how to install and configure a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server for anonymous access.

Install Internet Information Services and the FTP Service

Because FTP depends on Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), IIS and the FTP Service must be installed on the computer. To install IIS and the FTP Service, follow these steps.

NOTE: In Windows Server 2003, the FTP Service is not installed by default when you install IIS. If you already installed IIS on the computer, you must use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel to install the FTP Service.

1. Click Start, point to Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs.
2. Click Add/Remove Windows Components.
3. In the Components list, click Application Server, click Internet Information Services (IIS) (but do not select or clear the check box), and then click Details.
4. Click to select the following check boxes (if they are not already selected):
   Common Files
   File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Service
   Internet Information Services Manager
5. Click to select the check boxes next to any other IIS-related service or sub component that you want to install, and then click OK.
6. Click Next.
7. When you are prompted, insert the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM into the computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive or provide a path to the location of the files, and then click OK.
8. Click Finish.

IIS and the FTP service are now installed. You must configure the FTP Service before you can use it.

2. This is a step-by-step article on how to set up a virtual directory

Create virtual directories for the user

1. Create a folder on your ( C:, S:,) hard drive, share folder, or NTFS file system partition. This folder will contain all the files and the virtual directories that the user will have access to.
2. Create a virtual directory in the FTP site by using the MMC snap-in. In the MMC snap-in, right-click the default FTP site, click New, click Virtual Directory, and then follow the steps in the wizard. If you want to put the user in his own or her own "root" directory, give the virtual directory the same name as the user account.
   
   Note The virtual directory name is case-sensitive. If you are creating the virtual directory for uploading files, you must also grant the Write permission on the Virtual Directory tab.
3. Grant NTFS permissions through Windows Explorer on the virtual directory for the Administrators (Full Control) account and for the user of the virtual directory. Make sure that you remove the Everyone group and any other user who may have rights but who does not require these rights. Optionally, you may grant Administrators control to this virtual directory. The user must have the minimum right that lets the user perform the requested action. For example, the user must have the Add/Read right or the Change right.
4. On the Security Accounts tab for the FTP site, make sure that the Allow anonymous connections checkbox is not selected. This option lets the user log on to that virtual directory by using Clear Text authentication. When that user logs on to the FTP site, the virtual directory that is set up is the root directory for that user. Only that user has rights to the virtual directory.
   
   Important When you use Clear Text authentication, passwords are sent in clear text and are not encrypted. This method may create a security vulnerability. For more information about security, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
   (http://www.microsoft.com/security)

3.  at this point if your not familiar with this process..you are propably wondering ok how do i get people to the virtual directory i just created.

1. In my opinion the easiest way to get to the folder you have created is to find out what your ip address is. You wont see allot of articles telling you this most reccomend that you use your domain address (i.e. ftp://yourdomain.com/foldername) but i recommend (i.e. ftp://192.000.00.0/foldername) if you are using a 3rd party hosting account like just host or GoDaddy then ask them what your iP address is.
2. you may have to go on your server and add a new user. Only if you have not already created this user. Now in the previous section you should have added(gave permission) to a user for the FTP account.
3. now i highly reccomend you download Filezilla which is a FREE opensource FTP client created by Mozzila FireFox. This software will help you overcome firewall issues and such on local computers and wirless routers.
4. Now once you have downloaded and installed Filezilla open the software at the top of the window you will see 4 boxes that you have to fill in: Box A: this is your iP address or domain (i.e. ftp://192.000.0.0/yourfolder or ftp://yourdomain.com/yourfolder) Box B: username: whatever user name you created on your server. Box C: password: this will be whatever password your configured to the user that you created. Box D: port: 21 (i.e. "21") port = 21
5. now click quick connect and you are now afficially a FTP professional!