For simply serving files, I'm not sure what you'd need it for. I've read some stuff about serving files that are stored *in* a database, but that's getting kind of exotic.
On the other hand, databases might come up in relation to the "password" part, if your requirements for who gets access to what are very complicated.
If those requirements are simple, you might consider just starting with the ftp server, and maybe having a webserver with a page pointing to it if necessary. Access control is a standard part of ftp servers and shouldn't require you to do anything too exotic to get it working.
-Morgan.
On the other hand, databases might come up in relation to the "password" part, if your requirements for who gets access to what are very complicated.
If those requirements are simple, you might consider just starting with the ftp server, and maybe having a webserver with a page pointing to it if necessary. Access control is a standard part of ftp servers and shouldn't require you to do anything too exotic to get it working.
-Morgan.