FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
Quick Questions
Introduction to FTP
For PC Users (CuteFTP)
For MAC Users (Fetch)1) Where do I get an FTP program? See Below...
2) Where do I put my web page files/images? In the yourdomain-www folder on your server.
3) I uploaded my files but I get an error in my browser saying the page either can't be displayed or can't be found. Provided your files are in the proper folder (see #2 above), please check that all your filenames are lowercase.
4) I uploaded my files but I am still seeing a white, Under Construction page...why? This is because you did not replace the index.html file in the yourdomain-www folder. To fix this problem, simply rename your homepage to index.html.
5) Why can't I login to my server? First, check to make sure your domain name has been transferred before you login using your domain name. If your domain name has not been fully registered you will not be able to FTP using your domain name. Instead, you will need to use your IP address (for this number, please refer to the login email you were sent after signup). If your domain has been transferred, it is possible you are entering the wrong username or password. Please doublecheck that. Lastly, it could be a network problem. If you think this is the case, please report it to us immediately.
INTRODUCTION TO FTP
FTP is short for "File Transfer Protocol". FTP enables you to get files located on your hard drive up to your new web server. You have unlimited access via FTP 24 hours a day. As such, you can create and maintain your web pages on your own computer and upload files to your web site at your leisure. There are dozens of free FTP programs available on the Internet and you are free to use whichever you choose. We have provided instructions below for using one program in particular, called CuteFTP.If you are a Macintosh user we recommend a program called "Fetch".
All of the files associated with your website need to be placed in the yourdomain-www folder on your server (Refer to Chapter 1 to learn about all the different directories in your account). PLEASE, DO NOT DELETE ANY DIRECTORIES OR FILES IN YOUR ACCOUNT.
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FOR PC USERS (CuteFTP)
When we emailed your login information, it contained the following information. This information is needed for FTP:
USERNAME
PASSWORD
DOMAIN (or HOSTNAME)
IP ADDRESSStep 1: Downloading CuteFTP
a) To download this program, please go here: http://cuteftp.com/download/index.shtml
b) Select the second option, "CuteFTP 4.2 for Win95/98/NT 4/2000 32 bit (English)". Should you need another version in a different language, feel free to select whichever one applies to you.
c) Scroll to the bottom of the screen, enter your email address where specified and then select the Download Now button.
d) You will come to a new page. Look to the right side of the page for the "Download Now" link and select it.
e) On the next page, wait a few seconds and then you will be prompted about saving the file to your hard drive. Click OK and then either navigate to a folder of your choice or accept the default location. Either way, be sure you know exactly where the downloaded file will be saved so that you can easily retrieve it.
Step 2: Installing CuteFTP
a) When the download is complete, locate the file on your hard drive and double click on it to begin installation.
b) Select Next to the first box.
c) Select I Agree to the disclaimer.
d) Click Next to proceed with the installation.
e) When asked to make Cute FTP your default HTML editor...click NO.
f) Click "Finished"
g) Double Click on the new, little yellow CuteFTP icon on your desktop.
Step 3: Configuring CuteFTPa) You will see a dialog that prompts you about registering the program. Simply select Close (or register if you choose). Then, when the program opens you'll get a "Tips" dialog box. Simply Close that as well.
b) You should now be looking at the Site Manager screen. Click on General FTP sites at the very top of the list and then select the New button located in the lower left corner of the dialog box.
c) On the left side of the Site Manager you'll notice a field called Label For Site. This is simply the name you want associated with this FTP login. To keep things consistent, please use your domain name in this field.
d) In the FTP host address field put your IP number (if you don't know this number, please refer to the login email we sent you after signup.
e) In the FTP site username field put your username. For FTP site password put your password. (Again, this information can be found in the login email we sent you after signup.
f) You are now ready to connect to your server. Please select Connect and it will begin the login process. Please note, depending on the speed of your internet connection and networt traffic at the time, this process can take between 10 seconds and two minutes. Once you are logged in you see a Login Messages dialog box. Simply click OK to get out of it.
Step 4: Using CuteFTP
a) Now you will see a two-pane window. Notice your hard drive is on the left and your server's contents are on the right.b) First, let's get to where you need to be on the server. In the right
window, double click on the "yourdomain-www" folder. Inside you will
see an index.html file. This is the white, Under Construction page that you see upon accessing your site via your domain name or IP address.
c) You are now ready to move files from your hard drive onto your new server. From the left panel, simply find the directory on your hard drive that contains your web page files. Moving them to your server is as simple as left clicking on your files in the left panel and dragging them over to the right panel. Please be sure that all your files are placed into the yourdomain-www folder on your server. Any files located outside of this folder will be ignored by your server. Also, be sure to use lowercase filenames and don't forget to replace the current index.html file with your own homepage. If you don't do this, you will always see the white, Under Construction page mentioned above in b.d) When you are finished, select File and then Disconnect. You're done with FTP.
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FOR MAC USERS (FETCH)
The following information is contained within your account activation notice and is
needed to connect to your web site via FTP:
USERID
PASSWORD
FTP HOSTNAME
The hostname tells your FTP software to connect to the web server upon which
your web site resides.
Each time you run Fetch, the New Connection window will be displayed. A profile contains the information needed to connect to your web site. Creating a profile now will eliminate the need for you to configure the software each time you wish to connect to the web server via FTP. To create a new profile, select "New Connection..." from the File menu. Next, enter the Host (yourdomain.com), User ID (yourdomain), and password for your web site as illustrated below.
Don't worry about the Directory option right now. When you have your Host, User
ID, and Password entered, click on the OK button.
The next window which will pop up will look virtually the same as below, except
that yourdomain will be in the pop-up window.
Bookmarking the Connection
You should take the time, now that you have established your connection, to
make it easier for you to get here next time. Under the Customize menu, select New Shortcut. A window will pop up called Bookmark Editor, as below. It will already have your name, Host, and User ID filled in. Under Type, choose File from the pop-up menu. If you would like Fetch to remember your password so you won't have to type it in each time, type in your password in the Password field. Now, under the same Customize menu, choose Preferences, and under the General tab, make sure the connection you just entered is selected as the default shortcut. Next time you open up Fetch, your shortcut will be opened automatically and all you'll have to do is click the OK button!
How to Transfer Files
Refer again to the sample window above. You need to double-click on www to get to your web directory. This is where all your files will be downloaded, and/or you will create sub-directories. The only system directory that you may need to use is cgi-bin; this directory is reserved for custom scripts. To make your home page load automatically, name the HTML document "index.htm" in lowercase and upload it to the www directory of your account. To upload a file or files, simply drag them from your hard drive onto the Fetch window when you are in the appropriate directory or subdirectory. Be sure to upload HTML documents and scripts in Text mode and images in BINARY mode. Or to make life easier, click on the Automatic button as shown in the sample window above, and Fetch will decide the proper format. To transfer a file to a subdirectory, double-click the appropriate subdirectory to open it before transferring the desired file(s).
To insure that the Automatic selection works properly, make sure the selections under the Upload tab in the Preferences window looks the same as below.
As soon as a file is uploaded to the web server, it is available for all to see. If, after uploading a file, you are still unable to see the updated file via Netscape, you need to hit the Reload button in the Netscape button bar. Remember that you must first be connected to the Internet through your local Internet service provider in order to connect to the web server.
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