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 Smart FTP. You can find it
here: http://www.smartftp.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
quiztrial.com, your profile name might be QuizTrial.
Host Name/Address -
Your domain name address.
Example - www.quiztrial.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 - quiztrial
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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