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FTP is the File Transfer Protocol, the method of transfering files from a remote unit (computer workstation)
to the server or vice-versa.
Upload - is when the files are transfered from your computer to the
server (i.e. website server).
examples: attaching email, transfering your website to the webserver
for publishing, etc.
Download - is when the files are transfered from the remote server to
your computer.
exapamles: retrieving email attachments, downloading MP3's,
retrievong websites for editing.
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There are different ways of FTP. There is the user-friendly way and the advanced way.
For free websites, please make sure basic/open FTP is available in
there services to use FTP softwares from your computer, otherwise use the FTP provided in
there website.
The user friendly way uses FTP GUI (Graphic User Interface) software to do the job. FTP using these
softwares can be done simply by using the click-click and click-drag method. The usage of these
are different from one software to another. It is advisable to read the HELP section or REAME.TXT
of these varied FTP softwares. Click here for downloads these FTP softwares.
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For advanced usage of FTP, here are some tips on how to FTP your files:
Open your Command Line Interface (DOS)
From your prompt (most probably c:\windows\desktop), go to the
directory of where the files to be uploaded are located (maybe
c:\my documents).
- From here type this syntax:
ftp <remote server>
ex: c:\My Documents\ftp ftp.geocities.com
- You will be connected to the server (most probably Unix, Linux).
- When you are prompted the username, type your username:
username: <your username>
ex: username: jel84_99
-
Then after you will be prompted the password (type your password):
password: <your password>
ex: password: javierelpidiolaiz
You will receive the confirmation if you are conntected or not. If
not connected type "quit" at the prompt ftp> (i.e. ftp> quit) and press
ENTER and repeat from step 1. If connected, proceed to step 5.
- You will have the prompt which looks like this:
ftp>
- At this prompt, just like in basic DOS, go to the directory where
you wish to upload yous file/s by typing:
cd <directory>
ex: ftp> cd index
- If you wish to see the content of a certain directory, type:
ls
ex: ftp> ls
- And now to upload the file, the syntax is:
put <filename>
ex: ftp> put index.html
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If ever you want to download a file from your server, syntax is:
get <filename>
ex: ftp> get oldindex.html
- Once you're finished with FTP, type the syntax:
quit
ex: ftp> quit
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Advatages of this Command Line Method:
- This protocol usually comes with your CLI so there is no more need
for downloading FTP, making your task simpler without the hassle
of downloading the FTP software.
- File transfers are usually faster for it is already is in command format
when you type syntaxes. User friendly GUI FTP's still need to go through more
processing of converting your execution into CLI.
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Commands for FTP:
Here's a short list of available commands in command line FTP (ftp>):
| command |
syntax |
function |
| open |
open computer name |
Opens a connection to a remote server |
| close |
close |
closes connection from remote server |
| bye |
bye |
same function as close |
| put |
put file |
allows you to "put" or upload a file to remote server |
| get |
get filename |
allows you to "get" or download a file |
| ls |
ls |
gives you the "list" of files in the directory of the remote server |
| mget |
mget * |
Allows you to "get"/download "multiple" files. You will be prompted yes or no if the file should be downloaded. |
| mput |
mput * |
Allows you to "put"/upload "multiple" files. You will be prompted yes or no if the file should be uploaded.. |
| cd |
cd directory |
Allows you to go down to a directory of your choice in the remote server |
| lcd |
lcd directory |
Allows you to shift from one directory to anonther within your computer |
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© 2001 by Javier Laiz of the Corporate Web Group
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