Setting Up and Configuring an FTP Server on VxWorks 7

VxWorks, the real-time operating system from Wind River, is well-known for its reliability in embedded systems. One practical feature it supports is an FTP server, which enables efficient file transfers between a VxWorks target and a host machine. This guide walks through setting up and configuring an FTP server on VxWorks, with notes on compatibility, troubleshooting, and security.

Prerequisites

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Before you begin:

• VxWorks development setup (e.g., VxWorks 7 SDK or legacy versions like 5.5.1)
• A target image with networking support enabled
• An FTP client on your host (e.g., FileZilla, ws_ftp)
• Familiarity with VxWorks Workbench or Tornado

Step 1: Add FTP Server Components to the Image

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1. Open your VxWorks development IDE (Workbench or Tornado).
2. Configure your VIP (VxWorks Image Project):
   • Add:

     network components → networking protocols → network filesystem → ftp server
     

3. Rebuild your VSB (VxWorks Source Build) and VIP to include the FTP server.
4. Deploy the new image to your target (e.g., QEMU, i.MX6 SabreLite).

Not all FTP clients work smoothly with VxWorks; FileZilla and ws_ftp are recommended for compatibility.

Step 2: Configure the FTP Server

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1. Set the FTP root directory:

   • Use the symbol FTPS_ROOT_DIR to specify the accessible directory.
   • For instance:

     #define FTPS_ROOT_DIR "/ata0b"  // Maps to the second partition
     

   • To serve multiple paths (e.g., ata0a, ata0b), ensure your image mounts both.

2. Start the FTP server:

   • If configured to start automatically, it launches on boot.
   • Otherwise, use:

     ftpServerStart();
     

3. Configure credentials:

   • Defaults are often:

     Username: target
     Password: vxTarget
     

   • Customize for better security (if supported by your version).

Step 3: Access the FTP Server from a Host

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1. Install an FTP client on your host (e.g., FileZilla).

2. Connect using:

   • Host: <VxWorks_Target_IP>
   • Port: 21
   • Username/Password: target/vxTarget

3. Browse and transfer files:

   • You can now upload, download, or even load applications like hello.vxe from the target.

Step 4: Access Host FTP Server from VxWorks

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1. Host-side FTP server setup (Linux example):

   sudo pip install pyftpdlib
   python -m pyftpdlib -u target -p vxTarget -d $HOME
   

2. From VxWorks shell, mount the remote server:

   netDevCreate("wrs:", "192.168.1.100", 1);  // Replace with your host IP
   cd "wrs:/home/your_user"
   

3. Access remote files like:

   sp "hello.vxe"
   

Optional: Use ftpLib for Programmatic File Transfers

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For embedded apps needing file transfers:

#include "ftpLib.h"
int ctrlSock, dataSock;
ftpXfer("192.168.1.100", "target", "vxTarget", "", "RETR %s", "", "data.txt", &ctrlSock, &dataSock);

Suggested snapshot: Terminal output showing successful file transfer using ftpXfer.

Troubleshooting Tips

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• Can’t connect? Check port 21, firewalls, or DHCP-assigned IPs.
• Large file failures? Try smaller files or switch to FileZilla Server on the host.
• Command errors? Use ftpCommand() return codes for insight.

Security Considerations

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• Avoid default credentials in production.
• No built-in FTPS/SFTP: consider firewalls and limiting external access.
• Disable FTP when idle to reduce attack surface.

Summary

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Setting up FTP on VxWorks can streamline file operations for embedded systems. With correct configuration and security hygiene, you can:

• Share files between host and target efficiently
• Automate transfers with ftpLib
• Access remote data on demand

For more details, check:

• VxWorks Network Programmer’s Guide (Chapter 8)
• ftpLib API documentation