If you answered "Because I can!", that’s OK, but there are
real-world reasons:  The first would be in a scenario where you’d
like to transfer and update files between your Pocket PC and a system
that doesn’t run Windows.  ActiveSync, after all, runs in Windows. 
Pocket Mac and Missing Sync fill that gap when it comes to Macintosh
systems, but if you’re running some variation of Linux, Unix, FreeTOS,
or even Fred, you’ll have access to FTP, but not ActiveSync.  The
second scenario is when you’re running Windows, but you’re on a system
where the policy prevents you from installing ActiveSync.  All
the current browser have FTP built-in so you can transfer and update
files without installing anything on the desktop.  A similar scenario
is when you’re partnered with a desktop at work but you’d like to transfer
some files to a different workstation without having install ActiveSync
on the second system.  It’s a pretty useful addition to your bag-of-tricks
if you’re a consultant servicing a number of locations as long as you
can get access to the network in each location.  The final scenario
is to use it as a teaching aid.  If you’ve got folks you’re trying
to train to use the FTP server the "big iron," it’s helpful
to give them something they can try out first.  ShareIt FTP defaults
to using /My Documents/ as the root directory, but you can set it to
another, safe location where it won’t matter if anything gets messed
up in the learning process.

WHAT’S
HOT

    As I mentioned, ShareIt FTP is a full-featured
FTP server.  That includes "policy" settings for individual
users.  For instance, you can allow some users to save new files
on your Pocket PC, but not to over-write existing ones.  Each user
is given a name and a password that allows them to log on.  You
can also enable an "anonymous" log on if you’re daring. 
With the low cost of a Pocket PC compared to a laptop or desktop system,
you can allocate a Pocket PC for a small FTP server, either permanently
or temporarily, with greater return on investment.

SETUP
 

   ShareIt FTP is exceedingly easy to install: 
Simply connect your Pocket PC via ActiveSync and click on the Setup.EXE
file.  It will install into main memory or onto a storage card
or ROM file store with no degradation of performance.  It puts
a small icon (below left) on your Today Screen task bar and an icon
(below right) into the Programs folder on your Start Menu.

  
Tapping either icon brings up the Main Status Screen.

  
 The main screen shows statistics for any users who are logged
on as well as stats on the server itself.  We’ll come back to this
later after we’ve covered the configuration.

   
The Tools Menu (shown above) has a single option, Settings…, which
contains all the configuration controls.

   
The System settings tab sets which folder on the Pocket PC is considered
the "root" directory for FTP log ins.  It defaults to
My Documents, which works well for file sharing purposes.  If
you’re using ShareIt FTP for instructional purposes, you may want to
change it to a "safe" folder that can be thoroughly bollixed
by novice users.  The System settings tab also allows you to set
the maximum number of users (up to 64) which can be logged on simultaneously. 
With four users, you can still use your Pocket PC for other things without
noticeable performance lags.  As the number of users increases,
more time is taken for FTP clients and system performance will slow.
    ShareIt FTP defaults to using port 21, the standard
FTP port.  If so some reason, your network doesn’t allow that port
to be used, or, for security reasons, you’d rather not use it, you can
change it to any other port number.
    ShareIt FTP also allows you to set timeout conditions. 
From the above screen, if an FTP client session is quiet for 5 minutes,
it will automatically be logged off.  When users log on, they will
be allowed 3 attempts to choose the proper username and password. 
Before the fourth try, the session will automatically close.

   
The User Settings tab allows you to set up individual users as well
as an anonymous user and set permissions for each user.  The anonymous
user logs on without entering a username and password.  Depending
upon your application, you may not want to allow any anonymous log on
or you may want to limit what such a user can do.  The permissions
in the anonymous segment are abbreviated and correspond to the individual
settings shown below:

   
For each user, including the anonymous one, you can set separate permission
to write (create files and directories), overwrite (append or update
an existing file), delete (files or directories), and rename. 
You may want to allow a novice user only Write permission.

   
The Network Settings tab allows you to work around your networks firewall,
set performance parameters, and enable deflate compression protocol. 
The Fix IP Address option allows your FTP server to be accessible through
an external network.  Most firewalls allow you to route FTP commands
to a specific IP address within their network.
    The "deflate" mode, also called "Mode
Z compression," allows you to increase bandwidth by compressing
files before they are transferred.  This is particularly useful
for low-bandwidth (dial-up) or pay-by-the-megabyte networks.
    The Compress level setting balances between low CPU
use and higher data compression (low bandwidth use).  The Memory
level setting balances between low memory requirements and higher speed. 
The Window level setting balances between a small amount of memory for
storing a "history buffer" and better performance while moving
about the file system.

   
The IP Access settings tab allows you to set which network IP addresses
(which workstations) can access the ShareIt FTP server.  It allows
two configuration setups:  With the Accept button toggled, the
server will allow any workstation to attempt to log in except
those whose IP addresses are listed below.  This is a good setting
if you only want to deny a few (or no) workstations access.  With
the Deny button toggled, the server will prevent any workstation from
attempting to log in except those whose IP addresses are listed below. 
This is a good setting if you have only a few workstations that you’d
like to allow access to the server.  Although this set up gives
you passable control over IP filtering, it’s actually not as robust
as many routers which combinations of accept and deny lists.  As
the manual states, "The IP Access feature is ideal for academic
and small (or home) business, but other organizations should invest
in a firewall package to exercise a finer degree of control over their
servers."

   
The Miscellaneous settings tab allows you to set the email address that
will appear when a user requests the administrator using the STAT command. 
It also allows you to specify a text file whose contents will be displayed
when a user first logs into the FTP server.  Normally the file
will contain a welcom and any specific instructions you have for the
user.

PROGRAM
FEATURES

The
Server Menu:

   
The Server Menu (shown above) allows basic control over the server. 
When you start ShareIt FTP, the server automatically starts as well. 
You can stop the server using the "Stop" command.  You
actually have to stop the server in order to use the Settings… menu. 
The "Start" command restarts the server again.  The "Hide
Window" command does exactly the same thing as the (X) on the top
bar.  It minimized the ShareIt FTP window while continuing to run
the server.  The server will continue to run in background. 
The "Exit" command shuts down the server and the ShareIt FTP
program as well.

   
Once the server is started, you can log in through remote FTP programs. 
The following is an example of how to do this using Windows XP:

   
If you don’t mind entering the FTP server’s location and user information
each time, you could go directly to the Internet Explorer and enter
the command "ftp://[your
ppc's host name or IP address]" to log on.  If you’re
going to be using the log in more than once, you can set up a short
cut through your "Network Places" (shown above).  Select
"Add a network place" to begin.

Now select the option to "Choose another network
location" and press [Next>]

Enter the command "ftp://[your
ppc's host name or IP address]" like shown above.

The default will be to log on anonymously.  If you
don’t want to use anonymous log in, uncheck that option and insert your
username.  You’ll be prompted for the password when you actually
log in.

Now enter a nice name for this network place short cut.

If you want to go directly to the FTP server, make sure
the "Open this network place…" option is checked and press
[Finish].

As promised, you’ll be prompted for your password. 
You can elect to save the password for future log ins.  You can
also elect to log on anonymously this time.

When you log on, your "root" folder will appear
as the "pub[lic]" diretory as shown above.

Double tapping on the "pub" folder will open
to the contents,
 which, if you’ve chosen the defaults, will show your "My
Documents" folder in your PPC’s main memory.

You’ll get an error message (like that shown above)
 if you attempt to do anything which violates the permissions you’ve
been given.

From now on, you can go directly to the ShareIt FTP server
by using the short cut.

FTP
Commands:

 
  If your software allows you to enter FTP commands directly, you
can use the following commands:

   
If you’re using Windows, many of these commands are sent internally
by doing the standard Graphic User Interface operations you’re used
to using.  For instance, if I selected the Themes folder above
and pressed the delete key, the FTP server would receive a RMD or XRMD
command.

HELP
SUPPORT

   
The built-in help menu has only one option:  It allows you to see
the "About" screen (shown above).  However, when you
install ShareIt FTP, it also copies a complete manual, in Adobe Acrobat
.PDF format, to your desktop.  The manual is very complete and
well organized.  If you need further help, you can request technical
assistance from support@nsctech.com
via e-mail.  The nsctech web site has further information including
documentation on the standards that ShareIt FTP supports.

SYSTEM
REQUIREMENTS

    ShareIt FTP will run on any ARM-based Pocket
PC (including XScale models) with Pocket PC 2000/2002 or Windows Mobile
2003 operating system.  It requires 1MB storage for the application
and data files and up to 256KB for each client.  It requires a
TCP/IP network connection which includes WiFi, wired ethernet, and dial-up
connections.

BUGS
AND WISHES

    The program runs exactly as intended. 
I wasn’t able to find any bugs or errors.  There are a few ideas
I’d like to offer for consideration, though:
    One thing I’d like to see is a "lite" version,
allowing only one user to log on and possibly without needing the security
setup as well.  This would provide a less expensive, on-site file
transfer tool for technicians with Pocket PCs.  There are a number
of times when I’ve been on location and wished I could just grab a few
files for further diagnosis later.  Perhaps combining this with
some network utilities such as Ping, Trace, and such would make an even
better addition to a network technician’s tool-kit.
    An extension in the other direction would be creating
a super-set program that would act as a full network file server. 
Again, the target would be small business and academic installations
where the low cost, low power, and small space requirements of a Pocket
PC would be optimum.

PURCHASING

    ShareIt FTP can be purchased NSCTech
for $69.95.  There is also a trial version available at
the same location.  NSCTech also supports extended and volume
pricing.  At $69.96 US, you’re definitely not going to be buying
this just to play around with, but if you’ve got need for a serious FTP
server application.  This is it.

PROS

• 
  Fully-functional FTP server
• Small
  footprint
• Highly
  configurable
• Offers
  decent security set up
• Allows
  file sharing without installing software on remote systems
• Works
  over any TCP/IP network connection
• Can
  be configured to overcome bandwidth limitations

CONS

• Definitely
  priced for "enterprise" use at $69.95
• IP
  address filtering configuration is minimal

OVERALL
IMPRESSION

    ShareIt FTP is very impressive, especially
when you consider how small a resource footprint it needs.  It’s
not an application that I would have thought of for a Pocket PC, but,
now that I’ve seen it, I can think of a number of applications where
it would serve (pun intended) well.  It’s perfect for small business
or academic use due to it’s low cost, low power, and small space requirements. 
It’s easy enough that an intelligent novice could set it up and yet
powerful enough that an expert could tweak it to optimum performance.