What is FTP
File
Transfer Protocol, better known as FTP, is a procedure used to
upload and download files to and from your web server. FTP is a
special way to login to another Internet site for the purposes of
retrieving and/or sending files.
How to use FTP
In
order to use FTP, you'll need to download and install a software
program on your computer. The most widely used FTP program is WS
FTP Pro. You can find it here: http://www.wsftp.com.
Also check out other FTP Downloads here
When
you first launch the FTP program, a startup screen will appear.
This screen will enable you to add your website information and
allow the program to connect with your server. You simply fill in
the information where indicated with the following information:
Profile
Name - This name will be added to the selection list of
profile names. Select your profile name according to your domain.
For example, if your domain name were smiths.com, your profile
name might be Smiths.
Host
Name/Address - Your domain name address.
Example - www.harlandscripts.com
Host
Type - The type of server in which your website is hosted. The
standard is Unix.But you can probably skip it.
User
ID - Your hosting User ID. Example - candidinfo.
Password
- Your hosting password.
Depending
on which FTP client you use, the names may be slightly different.
Once
the FTP program has connected with your server,you will see the
files on your computer in the left window and the files on your
server will be displayed in the right window.
Transferring Files
To
maneuver through your folders, simply double click on them. To
transfer your files, either double click on the file or highlight
it and then click on the transfer files arrow.
Sometimes,
you will have to upload your files to a special directory,
like WWW or Public_HTML, but most providers let`s you upload the
files to the current directory.
To
select more than one file at a time, click on each file you'd like
to transfer while holding down the Ctrl key on your keyboard. Keep
in mind, all of the files you select must be uploaded in the same
mode. In other words, you could upload all of your HTML files at
the same time, or all of your images.
If
all of the files you'd like to upload are all together, you can
click on the first file while holding down your Shift key and use
the down arrow on your keyboard to highlight all of your files.
Files
such as text, HTML, and most scripts should be uploaded to your
server in ASCII mode. Any file that isn't ASCII text, such as
programs (EXE, ZIP), graphics, ebooks, sounds (WAV, MID) and
movies should be uploaded to your server in Binary mode.
FTP Advanced Commands
When
using scripts on your website, you will be required to set file
permissions in order for your scripts to run properly on a Unix
server. The most common setting for CGI/Perl scripts is 755. When
working with scripts, you may receive an Internal Server Error
when you try to run it. Many times, this error is caused by
improperly set file
permissions.
Permissions:
- Read
- 4 - r
- Write
- 2 - w
- Execute
- 1 - x
- None
- 0 - -
-
Read permissions are enabled with the number 4 or the letter r.
-
Write permissions are enabled with the number 2 or the letter w.
-
Execute permissions are enabled with the number 1 or the letter x.
-
No permissions are enabled with the number 0 or a dash.
Each
of these permissions will be set for each of the following:
To
give you a better idea of how permissions are set, below is an
example of a script that requires the permissions to be set to 755
-- it breaks down like this:
7
- Represents the permissions for the Owner (you). The owner
has been given Read, Write and Execute permissions. 4+2+1=7. This
can also be written like this: rwx
5
- Represents the permissions for the Group (individuals with
access to your server). The Group has been given Read and Execute
permissions. 4+1=5. This can also be written like this: rx
5
- Represents the permissions for the Others (website
visitors). The Others have been given Read and Execute
permissions. 4+1=5. This can also be written like this: rx 755 is
equal to rwxrxrx
Changing File Permissions with Your FTP program:
If
you would like to set your file permissions through your FTP
program, you can do so like this:
- Log
into your server and locate the directory that contains your
file.
- Highlight
the file that you would like to change permissions.
- Place
your mouse pointer over the file and right click to launch a
menu.
- Click
on "chmod (UNIX) to launch the "permissions"
window.
- Set
your permissions and click on OK.
In
addition to setting permissions with your FTP program, most web
hosts will enable you to set permissions through your web page
management system.
FTP Software Download
If
you're managing your own website, having a good FTP software
program is an absolute must. Not only will it provide you with
some independence, but it will also enable you to have complete
control over your files.
Some
of the FTP software programs which we had found useful are:
FTP Downloads
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