Introduction
File Transfer Protocol, better known as FTP, is a procedure used to upload and download files to and from your web server.
In order to use FTP, you'll need to download and install a software program on your computer. If you are a Mac user, you may want to use a program called, Fetch. http://www.ipswitchft.com/products/fetch/features.asp .
If you have a Windows system, you may want to use a program called, WS FTP Pro http://www.wsftp.com.
For the purpose of this tutorial, we will be focusing on WS FTP Pro. If you are a Mac user, you can find a tutorial to assist you here.
Note: If you’re using PageSpinner http://www.optima-system.com/ or Coffee Cup http://www.coffeecup.com HTML editor, you can upload your pages to your server right through the editor. View your editor’s help files for further inform
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ation.
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Setting Up WS FTP Pro Software
Prior to using the software to upload your files, you will need to set it up so that it can connect to your web server. You will need the following information, which you should have received within the welcome message from your web host:
9 Server Address
9 User Name and Password
When you first launch the FTP program, you will want to click on the ‘Connection Wizard’ button on the toolbar at the top. The following window will load and enable you to enter your website information, so that you can connect to your server.
Connection Wizard
Step One:
Enter your website name within the ‘Site Name’ section where indicated.
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Step Two:
Enter your connection type. This is normally FTP.
If the FTP connection type doesn’t work for you, contact your web host for assistance.
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Step Three:
Enter your server address.
This information is provided by your web host. If you’re not sure, contact them for assistance.
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Step Four:
Enter your user name and password. You should have received this information within your ‘Welcome’ message from your Web Host when you signed up. If you didn’t, contact your Web Host for assistance.
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Step Five:
This is the confirmation screen. If everything is correct, click on ‘Finish’ and the software will connect to your web server.
As soon as the software receives a connection, the following screen will load:
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Note: The next time you want to connect to your server, you can just click on the
‘Connect’ button on the left side of the toolbar at the top.
The files on your computer are displayed within the left window and the files on your web server are displayed on the right.
To upload your files on a Host4Profit server, your first step will be to locate the files you would like to upload from your computer, which is within the left window. Your next step will be to click on the masteri5-www folder, within the right window, to place your files on your server.
However, the masteri5 text would actually be your username. It’s normally the first eight characters within your domain name. However, if there are other domains with a similar domain name, your username will most likely be the first seven characters of your domain name, followed by a number.
Note: If you’re using a different hosting company, this may be different.
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Transferring Files
Prior to uploading your files to your server, you may want to set your transfer mode to auto. That way you won’t have to select ASCII OR Binary each time you upload a file.
To set this up, click on the ‘Transfer Mode’ button at the top of the server window on the right. Next, click on ‘Auto (Based on File Ext).’
Here’s what the button will look like:
To maneuver through your folders, simply double-click on them.
To transfer your files, click on the file once to highlight it and then click on the transfer files arrow button, which is in the center of the two windows.
Here’s what the button will look like:
The top button is the ‘download’ button, which will transfer files from your web server to your computer. The bottom button is the ‘upload’ button, which will transfer files from your computer to your web server.
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, unless you are using the
‘Auto’ transfer mode, 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.
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Transfer Modes
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.
File Permissions
When using scripts on your web site, 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.
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:
• Owner
• Group
• World
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
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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 World (website visitors). The World has 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
If you would like to set your file permissions through your FTP program, you can do so like this:
1. Log into your server and locate the directory that contains your file.
2. Click once on the file that you would like to change permissions – just to highlight.
3. Place your mouse pointer over the file and right click to launch a menu. Or, go to ‘File’ – ‘Properties’ on the main toolbar at the top of the software.
Click on ‘Properties’ to launch the ‘Properties’ window.
The ‘Properties’ window will look like this:
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Set your permissions and click on OK. You can type in the numbers within the ‘Numeric Value’ section, or place the appropriate checks within the Owner, Group and World sections.
In addition to setting permissions within your FTP program, most web hosts will enable you to set permissions through your web page control panel.
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.
The folders on your server are set up just like the folders on your computer. Depending on the hosting company you’re using, your server folders might look something like this:
domain-logs logs including access, error, etc.
domain-mail email accounts pop
domain pop email main account
domain-www root directory where you store your HTML and graphic files.
cgi-bin CGI script directory for script storage.
If you're managing your own web site, having a good FTP 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.
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Conclusion
If you follow this step by step quick start guide, you can get your web site up quickly.
However, it is highly recommended that you take the time to review the complete course, as it contains vital information that will assist you in creating a successful web presence.
To your success!
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