Configuring the TFTP server with TFTP Server v3.4.1:
Mac OS X has a built in TFTP server. However it can be challenging at times to configure and enable it.- Once the TFTP Server v3.4.1 is installed, launch the application.
- In the TftpServer application window, you can start or stop the TFTP service by clicking on the Start/Stop button: It will change its icon and text to reflect the server's status.
- Status is also visible at the bottom of theTftpServer window.
- Copy the firmware file(s) to folder/private/tftpboot
- /private/tftpboot is the default target folder for the TFTP server. If necessary, the target folder can be moved. Please see instructions below to relocate the target folder.
- Open the TFTP v3.4.1 application
- In the TftpServer window, click Start to enable the TFTP server if not already running
Tftp For Mac Sierra Mac
- Open the TFTP v3.4.1 application
- In the TftpServer window, click Stop to disable the TFTP server if the TFTP server if no longer needed
Manual configuration of TFTP server in Mac OS X:
Using TFTP Server on Mac OS X 10.7 Lion and later versions for firmware updates:- Copy the firmware file to folder/private/tftpboot
- /private/tftpbootis the default target folder for the TFTP server. If necessary, the target folder can be moved. Please see instructions below to relocate the target folder.
- Open Terminal
- In the terminal window, type the following two lines:
- In the terminal window type:
- Log in as root user on your Mac
- Copy the firmware file to folder/private/tftpboot
- /private/tftpboot is the default target folder for the TFTP server. If necessary, the target folder can be moved. Please see instructions below to relocate the target folder.
- Open Terminal
- In the terminal window type:
Tftp For Mac Sierra Mac
- In the terminal window opened in the steps above type:
Changing the default TFTP folder:
- Open a Finder window
- Navigate to /System/Library/LaunchDaemons
- Using a plain text editor, modify tftp.plist
- Look for the following lines
<key>ProgramArguments</key> |
<array> |
<string>/usr/libexec/tftpd</string> |
<string>-i</string> |
<string>/private/tftpboot</string> |
</array> |
- Change the third <string> line from /private/tftpboot to another folder. This will move the TFTP server's target folder.
- For example, change the path to secure location like /var/tftpfiles
- Then make a new folder matching the change
<key>ProgramArguments</key> |
<array> |
<string>/usr/libexec/tftpd</string> |
<string>-i</string> |
<string>/var/tftpfiles</string> |
</array> |
- When done, save tftp.plist
- Now the TFTP server will look in /var/tftp_files folder for all TFTP file transfers
- You must either restart your Mac or restart the TFTP server to have the changes take effect.
KB ID 0001247
Problem
Every time I go to a networking event theres a sea of MacBooks in the audience, If techs like MacBooks so much why is there such a lack of decent TFTP software?
Solution
The thing is, I’m looking at the problem with my ‘Windows User’ head on. When I have a task to perform I’m geared towards looking for a program do do that for me. OS X is Linux (There I said it!) Linux in a pretty dress, I’ll grant you, but scratch the surface a little bit and there it is.
Why is that important? Well your already holding a running TFTP server on your hand, your MAC is already running a TFTP server, you just need to learn how to use it.
MAC OS X Native TFTP Server
As I said it’s probably running anyway, but to check, open a Terminal window and issue the following command;
If it’s not running you can manually start and stop the TFTP server with the following commands;
sudo launchctl load -F /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist
Stop TFTP
sudo launchctl unload -F /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist