Please recommend a software and please show instructions for me to set
up an FTP server on my home computer so I can transfer files to/from
an outside connection point.

I am using Windows XP.

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Clarification of Question by florianrr-ga on 06 Aug 2006 01:16 PDT

I have a no-ip.com account and managed to divert my Internet IP to my local IP.
I have no problem setting a web server. 
I have also create another port forwarding (21).
Now waiting for further instructions to set up the FTP server.

Dear Florian, 

Probably your best option is to use an open source (free) software,
such as Filezilla.

Filezilla
<http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/> 

(Filezilla is the one I'm using, but there are numerous recommended
FTP software servers, such as:

BulletProof
<http://www.bpftpserver.com/> 

Ipswitch WS FTP
<http://www.ipswitch.com/> 

Cute FTP
<http://www.cuteftp.com/>

Serve U
<http://www.serv-u.com/> )

If you have XP Professional, you can also use the programme's own "IIS
(Internet Information Server":
(1) Start ---> Control Panel ---> Add/Remove Programs
(2) Add/Remove Window Components
(3) Choose Internet information services (IIS)
(4) Click on "details". 

You will need to check the following: "common files", "file transfer
protocol (FTP) service" and "internet information services snap-in".
After clicking "next", you'd be probably asked to insert your Windows
CD.

Further information on how to install and work with the IIS is available here: 
Configuring the FTP site Controls
<http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1491&page=3> 

And 
WinXP FTP Security Controls
<http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1491&page=4>

If you use other softwares (or have no XP Professional), here are the
instructions:
<http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1491&page=5> 
<http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1491&page=6>
<http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1491&page=7>
<http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1491&page=8>
<http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1491&page=9>

Lifehacker has directions for Serv U
<http://www.lifehacker.com/software/home-server/how-to-set-up-a-home-ftp-server-130806.php>

And here are some instructions for Filezilla
Build Your Own Server (step 8)
<http://www.pcmech.com/byos/step/8/> 

In any case, after downloading the FTP software, you have to make sure
that several things work for you:
(1) anonymous access: most chances that you want only yourself (or
authorised persons) to be able to use the FTP server. Therefore,
choose "no", when prompted regarding anonymous access.
(2) how much you're willing to give, regarding bandwith
(3) which directories or drivers are to be shared 

I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
further clarifications on this answer before you rate it.

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Request for Answer Clarification by florianrr-ga on 06 Aug 2006 07:23 PDT

After reading all the resources you provided, I am still confused.
Can you give a step by step intructions setting up an FTP server using
the software Filezilla?

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Clarification of Answer by politicalguru-ga on 07 Aug 2006 23:53 PDT

Hallo Florian, 

Dio these instructions help? 

U-Penn: FTP Server recommendations and instructions for configuring
FileZilla FTP Server
<http://www.upenn.edu/computing/security/edge_filtering/sysadmin/filezillaserver.html>

excellent!