CIS 58.51A - Designing Web Pages

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FTP - What is it?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) software is a powerful tool that enables you to access computers anywhere in the world and send files from your computer to their computer. This process is known as "uploading". You can also use it for downloading — the term to describe the act of copying files from a remote computer to your computer.

In our class, you will use FTP software to upload (and sometimes download) HTML and graphics files to and from the SRJC student server or to your own server. So, unless you already have FTP software, you will need to download or buy a program and install it on your computer.

You can use different software for your own ISP account than for the SRJC student server. The reason is the JC requires you use a secure FTP program. This protects the JC server from hackers and break-ins. ISPs use a different system of security and don’t usually require secure software.

All the software you need is available at the JC CIS labs. But you cannot take it home. You can do all your uploading in the JC lab. If you want to work at home and use the JC student server, you may need to get a secure FTP program.

Secure Connection to Your Student Server Account
In order to access your JC student server account, you must now use Secure Shell (Telnet) and Secure FTP software. You have two choices: come into the lab and use the secure software OR you can download the software and work at home.

Fetch (Mac), WS_FTP LE (Windows) and the FTP functions (see below for descriptions on these programs) in Web Authoring software like Dreamweaver will not work with the JC Student Server Account. All of these programs (secure and not secure) should work if you are using your own ISP.

The two programs work like this:
1. The Secure Shell (Telnet) is used for logging onto the student Web server to create a Web directory, which you will use to store your files. The directory you create is named public_html. There is really no other reason you would have to use this program. It would be best to use it in the lab and do it there rather than download.

2. The Secure FTP software is be used to upload (and download) your files to the the Student Server. You can also use this software to upload and download to any server. There are other FTP programs I also recommend if you are not using the Student Server (see below). The secure FTP program you need to use for the Student Server Account for both platforms may not be free.

We are dealing with software companies that are constantly changing. The software is free to use in the lab. If you want to work from home, the downloaded software may have a trial version only that could expire before the class is over. The Mac Classic version, at this time, appears to be a free two week trial version. It may then cost $25. The PC version may have a longer trial or be free. It is unknown right now how long this license lasts.

Mac & PC Users: Click on this link to the CIS Department Designing Internet Pages site to get information on using Secure Telnet and FTP software: http://www.sonic.net/~webclass/srjc/html/class/PublishL.shtml
On this page, click on the links under Objectives in blue that pertains to your platform and what you want to do. These are the bulleted items to click on:

install Telnet sofware for Windows or Macintosh

create public_html folder using Windows or Macintosh

install Windows FTP or Macintosh MacSFTP

using Windows SSH Client to FTP or Macintosh MacSFTP

The first two bullets are about initially logging on to your Student Server Account. If you do this in lab, you will not need to refer to these links. Just go to the second two.

Note: You are responsible for knowing your password. Write it down on a piece of paper you keep with your notes or somewhere you can easily get to.

PC Users — Non-Student Server Account
There are two major FTP programs we recommend for Windows users — WS FTP LE (freeware version) and CuteFTP. If you already have one of these programs loaded on your computer, you can use that program. If you don't have FTP software yet, check out one of the download sites below and choose one or the other. Both are excellent programs.

NOTE: Here are step-by-step instructions on Ipswitch’s site for using different versions of WS_FTP. Tutorial for WS_FTP.
Here are more instructions showing different versions of WS_FTP.

Where Can I Download WS_FTP?

ipswitch.com At one time WS_FTP was freeware. This company now sells the Pro version. They often have trial versions you can download for free. They usually expire within a month.
CNET Shareware. Type in WS_FTP in the search field. Hit the go button. It takes you to a download page where you have choices. The LE version is usually free. Download different versions to see what works for you. Look for the description "Transfers files over the Interent...".
zdnet.com/downloads. Type in WS_FTP in the search field. Hit the go button. It takes you to a download page where you have choices. The LE version is usually free. Download different versions to see what works for you. Look for the description "Transfers files over the Interent...

Free? Do a search for a place that may have this software for free if you can’t find it for free at one of the above links. Try at the CNET site first by typing in: "WS_FTP LE" to the search field.

Mac Users — Non-Student Server Account
There are two major FTP programs for the Macintosh — Fetch (freeware version 3.0.3) and Anarchie. If you already have one of these programs loaded on your computer, you can use that program. If you don't have FTP software yet, check out one of the download sites below and choose one or the other. Both are excellent programs.

NOTE: Here are step-by-step instructions for using Fetch. Tutorial for Fetch.

Where Can I Download It?

fetchsoftworks.com. At one time Fetch was freeware. This company now sells version 4.0. They often have trial versions you can download for free. They usually expire within a month.
CNET Shareware. Type in Fetch in the search field. Hit the go button. It takes you to a download page where you have choices. Fetch version 3.0.3 should be a free version.
zdnet.com/downloads. Type in Fetch in the search field. Pull down the drop down menu to Mac. Hit the go button. It takes you to a download page where you have choices.

Free? Do a search for a place that may have this software for free if you can’t find it for free at one of the above links. Try at the CNET site first by typing in: "Fetch" into the search field. Look for CNET downloads. Version 3.03 is the free version, if still available. Version 4 will cost $25 after a 15-day trial.

Want More Info?
The lab assistants at the SRJC labs can assist you with both WS_FTP, Fetch for Non-Student Server Accounts and Secure Shell (Telnet) and Secure FTP software for the Student Server Accounts. Even though there are different versions of WS_FTP in the Santa Rosa lab from the Petaluma lab, they can guide you through most problems. As long as you know your host name, user name and password, you can upload files from anywhere. If you really get in a pickle, head over to one of the labs with your files to upload.