-> 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 smiths.com, your profile name
might be Smiths.
Host Name/Address - Your domain name address.
Example - www.ultimate-websolutions.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 - ultimate-websolutions.
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
File Permissions
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:
Owner
Group
Other
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.
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