Best free TFTP Client for CUCM Backup

[Saurabh Gupta]

Hello Experts,

Does anybody know which is the best free TFTP client for CUCM 8.6 backup? 

Thanks,

Saurabh Gupta

[Ekin Gumus]

I use freeftpd but be sure that your antivirus or security system wont block the application

http://www.freesshd.com/?ctt=download

[Nadav]

Freeftpd is a great product for Windows although keep in mind it isn't being actively supported. I know it works for Windows Server 2003/2008, but I'm unsure about modern OSes. Keep in mind that you're looking for an SFTP Server and not client.

Note: It's a great FTP and SFTP server, it does NOT support TFTP. CUCM backups are done to SFTP, and not TFTP. There are certain issues with freeftpd which have been covered in this community and others regarding the freeftpd service (I managed to solve these issues with Powershell, but there are other ways). Apart from that it's great if you need a free server. If you don't mind paying, Cerberus is a great platform and is actively supported. 

[Saurabh Gupta]

Thanks Guys for your response. Sorry about the typo, I meant SFTP and not TFTP.

I installed FreeFTPD, and when tried to configure and save it, it gives me an error saying "Could not write configuration". Any ideas?

Regards.

Saurabh Gupta

[Ryan Huff]

Sounds like a permissions issue perhaps? Have you tried, "Run As Administrator"?

Thanks,

Ryan

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[Deepak Rawat]

FreeFtpd is indeed one of the best freeware out there for taking backup of UC products such as CUCM, Unity CxN, UCCX etc but the biggest drawback using FreeFtpd is that the backup size cannot exceed 1GB. There is a limit of the data that can be transferred using FreeFtpd and it is 1GB only. Hence whenever if your backup size will exceed 1GB, the backup will fail there and then. Secondly I don't understand that when you are spending millions on buying these products contracts etc why you are looking for something free just to save some small amount putting your environment in such a huge risk. It is highly recommended that you should use one of the supported SFTP servers recommended by Cisco such as Titan, Cygwin, OpenSSH even if it costs you few bucks there.

Regards

Deepak

[Nadav]

I've been using freeFTPd for several years on Windows 2003 and later Windows 2008 to store CUCM backups with TARs which took well over 1GB, I haven't replicated the issue of not being able to copy files over 1GB to the server. I saw similar experiences elsewhere online and even on this community:

https://supportforums.cisco.com/discussion/12075391/cant-duplicate-freeftpd-1gb-file-limitation-bug-version-1012

Perhaps the issue was specific to a certain version of freeFTPd.

All the same, freeFTPd is not actively supported. The same developer also created freeSSHd which is more recent and includes an SFTP server. If you're looking for a developer who will offer you troubleshooting support then commercial software is relatively inexpensive. No matter which solution you choose, test it thoroughly in your environment. 

[Ryan Huff · Accepted solution]

Saurabh,

Firstly, you'll want to note that for CUCM's DRS backup capabilities you'll be using SFTP, not TFTP. I only draw distinction because they are two very different protocols and have unique uses within CUCM.

While FreeFTPd does work, it is in my opinion, not a great choice. My experience is that it fails often and needs restarted frequently (not to mention it is no longer supported by the original author). For me, I look for a solution that I can, 'set and forget'.

With that, I am going to recommend looking into using the SFTP (a subset of SSH) portion of OpenSSH. Typically, I would configure this in a Linux server. I very rarely have issues, if at all.

If you have the time, I would recommend reading a 4-part blog series I wrote on how to use Linux for many useful CCM tasks (DRS being one): http://ryanthomashuff.com/category/linux-aficionado-series/ (the series also talks about how to setup / install some Linux distro's)

The part of the series that specifically addresses DRS is: http://ryanthomashuff.com/2015/11/why-uc-engineers-need-to-become-linux-aficionados-part-2/

Hope this helps,

Ryan

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[Deven Gandhi]

I personally like FileZilla SFTP.  It's open source and very easy to configure and there is portable version available as well.   Also, solarwind has free SFTP server as well.

https://filezilla-project.org/client_features.php

http://www.solarwinds.com/products/freetools/free_tftp_server.aspx

-Deven Gandhi
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[Ryan Huff]

It is worth noting that FileZilla Server does not implement the SFTP protocol. FileZilla Server implements FTPS, which is a substantially different protocol.

• FTPS is FTP with a control channel and opens new connections for the data transfer. As it uses SSL, it requires a certificate.
• SFTP is an extension of SSH, so it usually uses only the SSH port for both data and control.
• SSH server installations generally have SFTP support but FTPS typically needs a supported FTP server.

While I personally have never tried, I'd doubt that CUCM's DRS service would negotiate with FTPS.

Thanks,

Ryan

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[Deven Gandhi]

You are correct.  I use filezilla client which does support SFTP and use Solarwind TFTP and SFTP server.

-Deven Gandhi
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[Ryan Huff]

Thanks for the clarification Deven.

I only drew distinction because this thread is about server options that work with CUCM's DRS capabilities (although the title does use the word client); I didn't want someone to drive by on Google and accidentally misunderstand.

Thanks for your contribution!

Thanks,

Ryan