While it really isn’t secure at any measure, ftp is a very useful way of moving files around. Apple’s OSX have a build-in basic ftp server, but in Lion (version 10.7) the user interface seems to have disappeared from the User interface. The servers is still available under the hood if you need it.

To enable the ftp-server (the availability) enter this command in a terminal window:

sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ftp.plist

From then on use this command to enable the ftp-server:

sudo launchctl start com.apple.ftpd

and youse this command to stop the ftp-server:

sudo launchctl stop com.apple.ftpd

To remove (the availability) of the ftp-server issue this command:

sudo launchctl unload /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ftp.plist

• If you need the ftp-server from time to time, you should probably not remove it, but just stop it, when it’s not being used.
• If you often need an ftp-server you should probably look at a more full-featured ftp-server (such as pure ftpd).