FTP Presentation Using “CuteFTP” By IT the IT Support Team

Introduction to FTP With emphasis on CuteFTP Define “file transfer protocol” (FTP) Explain usefulness for company users Downloading vs. Uploading An introduction to GlobalScape’s CuteFTP: “Site Manager” configurations Using CuteFTP Helpful links or resources

FTP Defined FTP stands for “File Transfer Protocol”, a powerful means of transferring files remotely over the Internet or on an intranet Begun in 1971, formerly used predominantly by UNIX users. “RFC”(request for comments) 959 defined FTP originally. RFC 1123, more recent, covers requirements for Internet client software, including FTP, Telnet, SMTP, and DNS FTP is implemented using the TCP protocol Initially, using FTP meant command-line usage only Graphical Programs are now in use, like CuteFTP or WS_FTP

Some Potential Uses of FTP: o Transfer files over the internet or company intranet. o Assist with Web page publishing via uploading Html files or.Gifs to a web directory. o Transferring large amounts of data between offices for collaboration. o Downloading shareware (like CuteFTP) or patches and bug fixes (like for Linux or Windows 2000): usually can log in as “anonymous” in order to access directories and files. Sometimes the password needed to get in is your address. o Simply use it as an alternative, although viable means of cruising the Internet! Do a search on FTP sites available world-wide.

Transferring Files: uploading vs. downloading Transmission of data (bits and bytes) is crucial to businesses and large organizations Uploading Files: place data, or files on a server. Or, transmitting data to a mainframe or a network Downloading: retrieve data, or files from a server and place locally, on one’s PC or Laptop

Site Manager: Before Starting, need to obtain configuration information. Go to File, then Site Manager.

Configurations needed from your friendly UNIX/NT/Novell System Administrator. An example : Label for Site: for example, “Marketing Remote Files” (use an intuitive name) FTP Host Address: for example, “Company_Web” FTP Site User Name: “username” FTP Site Password: ******* (make it unique!) Port: 21(filled in by default probably, as it is the FTP default port) Then “Connect” Note that the Connection Wizard simplifies this process

CuteFTP in Action: note the Directory hierarchy both locally and remotely. Match the directories in an intuitive way. This view has the “log Window” toggled. To toggle, go to “Window” tab. Toggled is another way of saying “select”/”deselect”.

Again, this is CuteFTP with the “Log” and “Queue” windows toggled, or selected. They can be useful to monitor status or general data transferring progress. They are optional and not necessary in order to use CuteFTP.

CuteFTP Transfer of files Select (single –click) the file to be transferred, or “FTP-ed” from your local directory (for example) to a remote directory With multiple files, hold control key while selecting files needed Click the Up Arrow to Upload, Down Arrow for Download CuteFTP 4.0 also has ‘drag and drop” capability Or, simply double-click the file to upload/download If prompted to “overwrite”: remember it WILL overwrite. If you are simply updating a file, then select yes. Double-check as needed Be sure to back up files periodically, or as needed (daily?) Did I mention: Be sure to backup as needed! That’s it! Relatively easy, isn’t it??

Resources and Links:  CuteFTP Home Page:  CuteFTP User Manual:  FTP protocol RFC working group:  Webopedia FTP definition and links:

More Resources and Links:  GNU FTP Info:  “Fetch” For the Macintosh User:  WS_FTP: a viable alternative: