Question : Setting FTP to be accessible through domain-name

I have set up an FTP server using SERV-U, and I can access it from the web using the server's public IP, which is a security issue, now I need to set it up so that I can use instead a domain-name to access it, what is the process to do this? do i have to buy a domain? does my ISP's dns do the lookup for me?

Answer : Setting FTP to be accessible through domain-name

FTP is not a secure protocol, it is only as secure as your internal network.  Any person that is on the same network as your FTP server will be able to sniff your password out.  If your local network is not so secure, you might consider using ftps or sftp instead.

As for domain names, if you want www.jose3josdomain.com, then yes, you will need to buy it.  I would recommend Godaddy.  I have 4 domains registered with them and I have not had any problem yet.

If you want something free and will be able to live with  jose3jo.homeip.net, then you do not need to purchase a domain name.  You can simply use any of the free dynamic dns services out there (eg, I recommend DynDNS).  A downloadable client will be installed on your system (also, most routers out there provide native support to DynDNS) and whenever an IP change is detected on your computer, the client/router will make automated updates to your jose3jo.homeip.net address.

Your ISP might do static IP for you, but providing a DNS record is not what most will do for free.