Using the OS X built-in tftp server
July 27, 2011
I needed to configure some devices on the go and as long as you have a Mac handy you can do it without any additional software. I found details on another site but the /sbin/service they used didn’t seem to exist on my machine but after a little more Googling I found this is the command to start the tftp server on OS X 10.7 Lion…
sudo launchctl load -F /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist
sudo launchctl start com.apple.tftpd
The default tftp file path is /private/tftpboot but you can change that by editing /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist and re-starting with launchctl…
sudo launchctl restart com.apple.tftpd
Weezey - 2016-08-24 06:50:51
Hey Jame, glad to help.
If you edit the /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist file you can add a
<string>-l</string>tail -f /var/log/system.logJame Bennet - 2016-08-24 03:00:07
Firstly, great blog, this local tftpserver has saved me a lot of time and headaches in the past.
I have one question, as part of tftpd there is a switch (-l) which logs tftp activity to syslog. So far I haven't been able to work out how to adjust your syntax to make this possible.
Any chance you have a solution for this?
Weezey - 2014-11-20 14:25:50
Hey Paul, sounds like you just need to put the firmware in your /private/tftpboot/ folder and then make sure the bullet is connecting to your computers' IP for tftp.
Paul - 2014-11-16 13:26:47
Hi Weezey,
This stuff is very new to me, just an enduser. But I have to get new firmware onto my bullet2 radio and the folks at ubnt are not able to come down to my level. I have gotten as far as finding tfpt.tlist and running the command lines you suggest in the launchdaemon directory. After the first line the password is requested and I give it. After the second command terminal just returns the command prompt.
My radio is responding to the PC shown by pinging it. I have the firmware to be uploaded in my downloads folder. Where do I go from here?
Hope you can help!
Paul
OS X Built-in tftp Server | BarryODonovan.com - 2014-11-08 06:13:00
[…] The default tftp file path is /private/tftpboot. [Original source] […]
tsealey - 2013-10-17 14:18:44
You may need to touch & chmod the the file you're trying to tftp
Using OSX Lion’s built in TFTP Server | 10 GOTO 10 - 2013-09-11 22:16:17
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Enabling Built-in Mac OS X TFTP Server | Embedded Software Engineer's IT - 2013-07-10 08:13:48
[...] Source: http://www.weezey.com/2011/07/using-os-x-built-in-tftp-server [...]
Piers G - 2013-01-23 05:00:14
Handy tip, thanks. Pretty sure the second "launchctl start" line is not necessary - "load" implies "start". Certainly I just tftp'd something from my MBP using just the one line.
Lorenz - 2013-01-11 12:37:45
super helpful. thanks!
kindsol - 2012-09-19 05:09:24
Thanks Weezey! Here is the script I use: http://pastebin.com/CELkyaqy
kindsol - 2012-09-19 05:05:15
This comment has been removed by the author.
DanHammans - 2011-11-12 05:04:29
Yes, just change the tftproot directory to something else that you have write permissions to. You can change the tftproot in the property list file, just open it with your favorite text editor.
Bejaysus - 2011-08-11 13:18:31
What pisses me off no end it the way TFTPD won't let you upload file unless there is a file with name in the directory already. Is there any alternative to this?
Arsenio - 2011-08-02 15:38:18
Thanks!!!
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