Using FTP with WS_FTP

 

Task:

 

I want to upload my files via FTP to my Auburn account web space by using the program WS_FTP.

Note: If you are off-campus, or using the AU Wireless Network, you'll need to connect to the network via the VPN Client before you use WS_FTP.

 

How to do it:

WS_FTP is installed on all of the OIT computing labs and is available for home computer download from the AU Software page.

FTP Spreads Germs: You can download a file with a computer virus from an FTP site. But, like kissing, that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it; just be careful. If you are FTPing programs, get them from well known, "reliable" sites. If you happen to contract a computer virus on your diskette, use the virus cleaning software available in the labs or call the HelpDesk.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the WS_FTP program. The Sessions Properties will open automatically. Everytime you log in through FTP, it is called a "session."
   
   
   
   
2. In the Profile Name text box, enter a name for your FTP account, like "My Auburn FTP Account". This field is optional, but useful when you have multiple FTP accounts.
   
   
3. In the Host Name/Address text box, enter "mallard.auburn.edu". You can also enter the machine name of any networked machine.
   
   
4. In the User ID and Password text boxes, enter your AU User name and password, then click OK.
   

   Note: Never ever check the the "Save Pwd" box when using WS_FTP on a public computer! This could allow other people to access your Auburn account web space.

    

   Note: Some FTP servers will allow you to connect without having a username on that system. To do this, use "anonymous" as the User ID and your e-mail address as the password.

5. The Connection Screen is where you transfer your files.
   
   
   
   The left side contains the drives, directories, and files on your computer while the right has those of the remote computer that you're logged into. Clicking once will select an item and double clicking will change to the selected directory or upload/download the selected file. Use the green arrow to go back a directory. Press the directional arrows to upload/download selected files between the computers, as well.

   Note: Hold down the CTRL button to select multiple files. Hold down the SHIFT button to highlight all the files between two files that you select. This works in lots of other programs, as well.

    

   Note: If you upload a file with the same name as one already on the remote computer, the remote file be copied over and lost!

6. To transfer HTML and other straight text files, select the ASCII radio button. To avoid other problems with these files, you can select Options > Session and check the Force Lowercase Remote Names box. To make future transfers easier, select Options > Extentions and put in the file extentions to upload via ASCII, like .txt, .html, .php, .asp, etc.
   
   
7. To close your FTP session, click on the Close button or close WS_STP entirely.