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Learn how to use FTP.The FTP Tutorial is mainly aimed at
providing help to beginners to understand the basics of FTP.
You will also find advanced FTP commands and links to download
some of the most popular FTP software. You will also learn
how to transfer the files on the internet.
What
is FTP?
FTP
(File Transfer Protocol) is the simplest and most secure way
to transfer files over the Internet. FTP is used to send documents
from your computer to another computer (for example the one
where your pages are hosted), but you can also get files from
remote computers to yours. WS_FTP is the most popular program
used for these transfers on the Web.
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/.
When
you start WS-FTP, you will be presented with a login screen,
asking for your:
- Profiles
Name: This is a name you can use to identify and save the
connection
- Host
Name/Address: This is the name of the server you will be
FTPing to
- Host
Type: Choose Automatic Detect from the avaliable choices
- User
ID: Use the username you have with the system you are FTPin
into.
- Password:
Use your password to the above account.
- Account:
Leave Blank.
You
can now check the Save Password box if you like, and click
the OK button to connect you with the server. You will now
be presented with a new, split screen. The left side will
display the contents of your personal computer, and the right
side will display the contents of your directory on the FTP
server.
In
order to upload files, simply navigate to the directory on
your home computer, using the ChgDir button on the left. Once
you have found the files you would like to upload, you can
highlight them and then click the arrow button in in the middle
of the screen that points to the right. This is the upload
button.
In the event you want to download a file from the server,
you can hightlight the file on the right and click the arrow
pointing to the left.
For
more information and help with WS-FTP, please go to: http://www.ipswitch.com/
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 Downloads
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Macintosh |
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