FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, and is the most efficient method to exchange files over the Internet. FTP requires the use of 2 computers, the server and the client. The client connects to the server and may then upload or download files, if the server permits it. This tutorial will explain how to transfer files over FTP using one of the most common FTP programs, CuteFTP. Below is a chart of different FTP programs that you can use.
Key: Win = for Windows based systems Mac = for Macintosh based systems Unix - For Unix based systems Linux - for Linux based systems
| FTP Programs | Description |
| CuteFTP (Win) | A very "cute" program with a GUI (Graphical user interface). Easy to use and moderate features. 30 day free shareware evaluation. |
| File Dog (Win) | A windows based automated FTP/HTTP program. 30-day free trial and after 30 days it becomes a limited FREEWARE client. |
| Ws_FTP (Win) | Yet another Windows based program that does the same things as the others. |
| NcFTP (Unix) | A FTP program for more advanced users. Free. |
| Fetch (Mac) | A FTP program with a GUI. Great features. |
| FTP Daemons (Servers) | Description |
| Serv-U (Win) | Very easy to use FTP program, but not very many features. |
| WarFTP (Win) | A free FTP server program with very neat features. |
| NcFTPd (Unix) | A FTP server from the same people that made NcFTP. |
| Troll FTP (Linux) | A small FTP server for Linux. |
The Tutorial (for CuteFTP - click on image for enlargement)
| Step 1:
Run CuteFTP. You will see the Site Manager window pop up. |
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| Step 2:
Click on the appropriate directory in the left frame in Site Manager (or create your own) and then click on Add Site. A "Add Host" window will pop up. Type in the name of the FTP site in the "Site Label" label field. Then the address of the site (this could be the domain name of the site or the IP of the server). Then in the User ID and password fields you type in your login name and your password. If the server doesn't give you one, then usually it is an anonymous server, so make sure that in "Login Type", anoymous is bubbled in. As for transfer type, "auto-detect" is best. You may leave the rest of the fields blank (at their default settings). Example of entry: Site label: Microsoft Address: microsoft.com (or something like 0.107.58.40 User ID: anonymous Password: anonymous |
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| Step 3:
Click on OK and double click on the site label you gave your name in the "Site Manager". You should be able to connect to the FTP site. From here on in the interface is much like that of Windows Explorer. To upload files, find the file on your computer using the left screen and double click on it to upload. It is the same for download except you use the right screen. To select multiple files, click on a file, hold down shift, click on another file, and let go. Another way is with the control button, which does something similar to shift. |
NOTE: If nothing happens in the right screen, then something has gone wrong. Scroll up in the top frame and see what the message says. It is possible that the server was full or you type in the server's address incorrectly. If the server is full wait a few minutes and try again. |