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Free iPhone and iPad TFTP Server for downloading and uploading Cisco configs

Upload or download your Cisco configs, IOS code, or any file, from the cloud to your iPhone and iPad mobile TFTP Server.

Wed, 1/18/12 - 11:59pm    View comments

I'm Andy Salo an old school CCIE R&S #2323 earned in 1996, and I'm blogging because I might have come up with a useful idea for a new Cisco tool, so here's my idea that's hopefully useful to you:

First, it's not every day that a new way of thinking gets successfully applied to an old problem (the problem being the need to upgrade code and configs on routers and switches). Since we've all used TFTP Servers for years to do that, I've developed a new TFTP Server app that allows you to do it directly from your iPhone over WiFi, along with a few other bells and whistles.

One of the unique aspects of this TFTP Server is that its integrated with Dropbox. Using Dropbox, you can upload or download configs, IOS code, or any file, from the cloud to the mobile TFTP Server. It allows you to edit a config using a standard iPhone Dropbox text editor like PlainText, download to the TFTP Server, and copy it over to your router, without ever having to touch your PC's keyboard. That plus the fact it works for large files and can upgrade code from the wiring closet makes it a very useful tool in my opinion.

I've released a 2.0 version (which cost $3.99) with Dropbox support as well as a free TFTP Server version too.

Mobile TFTP Server Screenshot
 

Mobile TFTP Server Free Version vs. the $3.99 Version 2.0 TFTP Server Pro
 

Note from Brad Reese:

I asked another CCIE about the usefulness of this tool and here's what that CCIE had to say:

"Zero. I have to load the iOS on my phone to take full advantage of the TFTP. Then I need WiFi to connect to the router. Rather complex solution considering TFTP was designed to be a simple short solution."

And here's Andy Salo's reply to that CCIE:

"Hi Brad,

"Interesting take on it. :) Certainly everyone has their own opinion on the best way to approach a problem.

"Let's look at the alternatives:

"Most people traditionally have used TFTP Server on a Windows or Linux-based PC or laptop. The files always have had to be copied to the TFTP Server in some way already. And that TFTP Server is connected via an Ethernet connection, or perhaps WiFi if it is on a laptop. The user needs to to enable port 69 and high UDP ports to their system, even temporarily, which leaves the system more susceptible to unauthorized access.

"Now let's compare that to TFTP Server on your iPhone. The user has a built-in switch to turn it on and off at will. The TFTP Server app only has access to the files you copy there for that purpose. It is true, you need to copy files to the TFTP Server in some way, just as you do a regular Windows based TFTP Server. But with TFTP Server for iPhone, you have three different, simple ways to get the files there:

1. TFTP put command.
2. Copying files using the built-in file copy within iTunes. (See the support page near the bottom: http://www.mobiletftpserver.com/support/)
3. Easy point and click Dropbox download. Incidentally, the files from Dropbox could have already been on your PC, which is automatically synced with Dropbox.

"So in summary, I think this makes things easier by giving a user more choices on how to move files to and from the TFTP Server, is portable, and allows you to easily turn it on or off for enhanced security.

"Does that make sense?

"Also BTW, I've had a lot of good feedback on the tool so far, so it appears someone finds it useful at least. :)

"Thoughts?

"Andy"

View more Cisco tools.

Related blog:

Mobile TFTP Server for iPad and iPhone
 

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