Turn your Mac into a TFTP Server

If you are working on some gear and need to tftp a config off a box or upload a new version of code, you might find yourself scratching your head when it comes to setting up the TFTP server built-in to Mac OS X. I know I did. This little tutorial is meant to show you how to quickly and easily get TFTP going on a Mac (in my case, a Macbook pro running Snow Leopard).

First, download TFTP Server. The developer's site has a copy. Once the dmg is open, drag the application to the applications folder to install.

Once you launch the application, you may have to configure the working path and parent folder permissions. This was relatively easy by clicking the "Fix" buttons next to the red error conditions at the bottom. I set my working path to a folder I had on my desktop, simply because it was convenient and that's where some of my configuration files were already located. You can choose any path on your system though.

To start the TFTP Server, click the Start TFTP button.

You should now have a running TFTP Server on your Mac. To test, try copying something from it 

Router#copy tftp flash
Address or name of remote host []? 10.0.40.100
Source filename []? 3560-config.txt
Destination filename [3560-config.txt]?
Accessing tftp://10.0.40.100/3560-config.txt...
Loading 3560-config.txt from 10.0.40.100 (via FastEthernet0/0): !
[OK - 60371 bytes]
Verifying checksum... OK (0x1D19)
60371 bytes copied in 1.512 secs (39928 bytes/sec)

If the connection isn't working, make sure your firewall is permitting the TFTP Server application. Go to System Preferences > Security > Advanced and check the list for TFTP Server

Try pinging the router from the Mac to make sure there is connectivity.

Also, if you find the TFTP Server application to be useful, please consider donating to the author, Fabrizio La Rosa. This is a tremendously helpful app and it's great to let the author know you appreciate his hard work.