Sudo Apt-get Install Xinetd Tftpd Tftp

6 min read Oct 03, 2024

Setting Up a TFTP Server on Ubuntu

Want to transfer files effortlessly across your network without the complexities of FTP? Consider using TFTP, the Trivial File Transfer Protocol. It's a lightweight, simple protocol designed for quick and easy file transfer.

This guide will walk you through setting up a TFTP server on your Ubuntu system, enabling you to share files easily.

Prerequisites:

Ubuntu System: This guide assumes you have an Ubuntu operating system installed.
Root Access: You'll need root privileges to install and configure the necessary packages.

Steps to Install and Configure TFTP Server:

Install Required Packages:

Begin by updating your package lists and installing the necessary packages:
```
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install xinetd tftpd tftp
```
xinetd acts as a daemon that manages the TFTP service. tftpd provides the TFTP server functionality, while tftp is the client tool that you will use to transfer files from the server.
Configure xinetd:

Edit the xinetd configuration file:
```
sudo nano /etc/xinetd.d/tftp
```
The xinetd configuration file is where you specify the settings for the TFTP service. You'll need to create a new entry for it if it's not already present. Here is an example of the configuration:
```
service tftp
{
    disable = no
    socket_type = dgram
    protocol = udp
    wait = yes
    user = root
    server = /usr/sbin/in.tftpd
    server_args = -s /srv/tftp
    per_source = 10
    cps = 100 
    flags = IPv4
}
```
Let's break down the key settings:
- disable = no: Enables the TFTP service.
- socket_type = dgram: Specifies the type of socket to use (datagram).
- protocol = udp: Uses UDP as the transport protocol.
- wait = yes: Waits for a client connection.
- user = root: Runs the TFTP server as the root user.
- server = /usr/sbin/in.tftpd: Points to the location of the tftpd executable.
- server_args = -s /srv/tftp: Specifies the root directory for TFTP files.
- per_source = 10: Limits the number of simultaneous connections from a single source.
- cps = 100: Limits the number of connections per second.
- flags = IPv4: Specifies that the service will use IPv4.
Create a TFTP Directory:

Create the directory where you want to store the TFTP files:
```
sudo mkdir /srv/tftp
sudo chown root:root /srv/tftp
```
This directory will serve as the root directory for all the files that you wish to share using the TFTP server.
Restart xinetd:

Restart the xinetd service to apply the changes:
```
sudo systemctl restart xinetd
```
Test the TFTP Server:

To check if your server is working, open a terminal on another system on your network and use the tftp command:
```
tftp 
```
Replace <server_IP_address> with the IP address of your TFTP server.

You should see a prompt to enter the TFTP commands. Now you can use tftp commands such as get and put to transfer files to and from the server.

Important: For security reasons, you should only enable TFTP on a private network. It is recommended to disable TFTP if you are not using it.

Example Usage:

Upload a file:
```
tftp 
put  
```
Download a file:
```
tftp 
get 
```

Conclusion:

Setting up a TFTP server using sudo apt-get install xinetd tftpd tftp on Ubuntu is a straightforward process. By following these steps, you can create a simple yet efficient way to share files within your network. Remember to prioritize security and consider disabling TFTP if it's not in use.