Tools

Virtual Hosts In Serv-U

This article is about Settng up Virtual hosts on Serv-U.

First published date

11/9/2018 11:29 PM

Last published date

7/27/2021 1:02 AM

Overview

The Serv-U File Server allows multiple domains to be configured using the same listening ports. This means that an administrator can have three domains configured on the same IP address all listening on port 21, greatly reducing the IP addressing logistics of managing multiple domains. This is done through the use of Virtual Hosts.

Virtual Hosts work through the use of "host headers", which allow Serv-U to identify which domain a user is trying to connect to. These are supplied automatically when a user connects to Serv-U via HTTP or HTTPS - when connecting via FTP/FTPS, the user must connect using a client that supports the use of the HOST command to specify which domain is being used, such as Filezilla, WinSCP, etc.

 

When using an FTP/FTPS client which does not support the HOST command, it is still possible to log on using Virtual Domains in Serv-U. To send the "Virtual Host" information through to Serv-U, use the following format for the username when connecting:

ftp.example.com|username

By specifying the domain name followed by the "pipe" character, followed by the username, Serv-U knows which user is connecting to the server and can allow the user to authenticate to the proper domain.

 

NOTE 1: When utilizing host headers, all users must connect using the Fully Qualified Domain Name of the server and cannot connect using the IP address, or Virtual Hosts will not work and the user will be unable to connect. For example, a user must connect to ftp.Serv-U.com and not 192.x.x.x.

Product section

Serv-U Managed File Transfer & Serv-U FTP Server

Resolution

  1. Open the Serv-U Management console.
  2. Go to the Domain where you want to configure the Virtual Host.
  3. Click the Domain Details.
  4. Select Virtual Hosts.
  5. Click Add and then enter the Virtual Hostname (ex. ftp.Serv-U.com)
  6. Save it.


Notes:

  • Make sure to add the domain listeners on all domains that has Virtual Hosts configured or else the user will not be able to log in on the correct domain and it will go to the first created domain or primary domain in Serv-U
  • Starting version 15.2.3, the domain listener is now required unlike in the previous releases 15.2.2, and below it is not a requirement.
  • Virtual Hosts do not work when you use FTPS or HTTPS, which rely on a unique certificate bound to a unique IP address (not to be confused with a typical certificate that is bound to a domain name). If any domains are deployed which use FTPS or HTTPS, Virtual Hosts cannot be used to share that IP address, and any other domains on the same server must use other port numbers or different IP addresses.