File Transfer Protocol

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Adapted from: Office of Information Technology, Prairie View A&M University
http://ips.pvamu.edu/

Using WS-FTP

Using WS_FTP to Transfer Files

WS_FTP is the program used to perform file transfers from your computer to another remote computer, as well as transferring information from a server to your computer.

1. Connecting to the Server

Locate the WS_FTP program on your windows desktop, double click on it to launch the program. You will see a Session Profile dialog box. This box enables you to enter information about the FTP server that you wish to connect to. You may also select from some of the more popular sites which have already been configured in the program by selecting them from the Profile Name list box found at the top of the dialog box. However, if you wish to go to a new or unlisted FTP server, click on the New button.
In the Host Name box, type in the host name or network address of the FTP server.
Leave the Host Type box set as 'Auto Detect', for WS-FTP to guess the server's operating system.
You will need to enter your User Name and Password in the appropriate fields. (see administrator if you do not have a user name and password.)
Press OK to connect.

2. Performing the File Transfer

Once you have been granted access to the server, you'll notice that WS-FTP displays information about your files on the left screen (called the Local System), and the host server's files on the right screen (called Remote System).
Before transferring any file, you should select the transfer method. If your files are text-only documents, choose the ASCII option. For all other types of files, choose the Binary option. These options can be found at the bottom of the screen.
To perform the file transfer, select the files that you wish to transfer by clicking on them. You can select multiple files by holding down the CTRL key while clicking on the respective files.
Finally, click the arrow that points toward the direction you want to transfer files to and from (see below).
If you are transferring information from your computer to the server, you will be moving files from the left side of the screen to the right side of the screen.
If you are getting information from the server to your computer, you will be transferring information from the right side of the screen to the left side.
After the transfer is complete, you can terminate the connection by clicking the Exit button.
After you move your files into a directory, the web page will be available immediately at the address you sent the files to.

A word about security ...

Do not tell anyone your user name and password. They will have complete and free access to your account!