FTP File Transfer
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. This is used for transferring
files containing data or programs either from your computer to a
server (uploading) or from a server to your computer
(downloading).
We will deal with two methods for invoking FTP:
- Via Netscape. This is convenient for transfer of single files.
- Via SmartFTP, a freeware standalone FTP client program. SmartFTP
allows transfer both files and entire directories.
There are thus four cases to consider:
| Netscape | SmartFTP |
|---|
| Download | From Browser
single files only | Files and Directories |
|---|
| Upload | From Composer
single file only | Files and Directories |
|---|
Downloading via Netscape
Downloading a single file via Netscape is extremely easy. One simply
points the browser at an URL having the "ftp:" protocol.
For example, by following this
link, we arrive at a from where
SmartFTP can be downloaded (note the URL).
N.B. To download a complete directory, each file must be transferred
in this way.
Uploading via Netscape
This is the preferred method when there is a single file to transfer.
In this case we will attempt to upload the currency page that we
created earlier to the server from your local directory. If your version
of numbers.html is not working, use this version.
- Invoke Composer on the file you wish to upload
- Fill in fields:
- PAGE TITLE: as you like
- HTML FILNAME: currency.html (as you like)
- LOCATION: ftp://staff.um.edu.mt/public_html/
- USERNAME/PASSWORD: as for email (NOT NT password)
- OTHER FILES TO INCLUDE: leave blank for now (but
see more details here)
- Click OK
- The file is now on the server.
- To view, connect your browser to the address
http://staff.um.edu.mt/username/currency.html
- Your file is now online: anyone in the world browsing that address will now see that file!
Uploading via SmartFTP
This is the preferred option when you want to transfer an entire
directory.
- Locate the smartFTP icon on your desktop and double click it.
- Find the local browser icon (a small screen just under the
help menu) and click it. Locate the file or directory you want to transfer by opening
the appropriate directory from the left window.
- In the address field put staff.um.edu.mt/home/your-usernname.
- Fill in the login field with your username.
- Fill in the password with your password.
- Click on public_html.
- Drag the file you want to transfer from the local browser to
the server directory window. The directory should be transferred there.
- Your directory is now online: anyone in the world browsing the
address http://staff.um.edu.mt/username/...directoryname.../filename
will now see that file!
Exercise
Use SmartFTP to upload the WWW directory you created earlier. In this
way your first home directory is put online.
Connect your browser to the address
http://staff.um.edu.mt/username/www.
Downloading via SmartFTP
The procedure for downloading a file via SmartFTP is the exact
inverse of uploading. The only difference is that you drag a directory
or file from the server window to the local window instead of vice versa.
[Tue Feb 8 14:39:27 2000]