When you use your FTP client, you are unable to see virtual
directories created in Internet Server Manager for the FTP service
even though you have permissions to access the directory.
However, if you issue the "cd" command with the correct name to
the virtual directory or "ls" or "dir" of the virtual directory,
the contents are listed (provided sufficient permissions exist
for the user/anonymous user).
This behavior is by design. The ability to hide these directories is a security option in the FTP server configuration.
A work around is to create a physical directory with the same name
in the location of the virtual directory so the FTP client can see
the name.
/ --> c:\inetpub\ftproot
/sample --> d:\ftpvdir
If you create the directory c:\inetpub\ftproot\sample, the FTP client
will see that directory in directory listings. The FTP client will
only be able to see/retrieve files located in d:\ftpvdir. If any files
are placed in c:\inetpub\ftproot\sample, the FTP client will not see
them or be able to retrieve them.
You can also create a virtual directory for the FTP service from the
Directories tab in the FTP Service Properties by choosing Add.
Select the directory and type in an alias. The virtual directory
alias is used to change to the directory.
The way you change to the directory varies slightly depending
on if you use a web browser or standard FTP client to access
the FTP server.
From a WWW Browser
Include the virtual directory name in the URL:
ftp://myftpserver/mydirectory/
From a Standard FTP Client
Even though the directories can not be seen, you can explicitly
"cd" to the virtual directory name. For example:
The forward slash is necessary, otherwise "cd" tries to change
directory from within the current directory the client is in.