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FTP stands for 'file transfer protocol'. This is how users transfer files between various machines on the internet. FTP has several basic functions. It allows for the sending of files to another machine('uploading'), and receiving files from other machines('downloading'). Yet FTP also allows users to list the contents of a directory, change between directories, and select transfer modes. FTP cannot do any more than this. To view, edit, or access these files requires the use of Telnet. The two modes FTP uses to transfer files are ascii and binary. ASCII mode is used primarily for text files, while binary mode is reserved for the transfer of files such as graphics file programs and compressed(zipped) files.
The first thing you'll want to do with FTP is upload your website to your Netmar account. Here we'll walk you through doing this upload, step-by-step. But first, we need to point out that this guide will cover the basic steps only, and will reference an FTP client called Cute FTP. FTP is a standard interface, working on a specific set of FTP commands, but different software programs use different ways to prompt you to choose a command. For instance, to list the contents of a directory, a web browser just requires you to click on a directory, while another program may require to press a "LIST" button, while yet another program may require you to actually type "ls" or "dir" at a command prompt.
Step 1- Connect to login.netmar.com
After dialing and connecting to the Internet through your Internet Service Provider, start your FTP program. Netmar highly reccomends CuteFTP, which does a fantastic job of managing FTP sessions. First, open CuteFTP and click exit from the "Site Manager".
Next, click the lightning bolt, or "quick connect" button.
Step 2- Login
This will bring up the host address dialogue box. Enter login.netmar.com, or if you have LINUX hosting, your host address will be homer.netmar.com NOT login.netmar.com. Where it prompts you for your username and password, you would enter them accordingly. Please be aware that both should be typed in all lowercase letters unless you have manually changed your password.
Step 3- Change to "www" directory
Unlike your own PC, you do not have access to all parts of the system where your website is stored. Instead, you have a "home" directory, or folder, where all your files are stored. That folder contains, among other things, a "www" sub-folder. This is where your website resides. Change to that folder after logging in by double-clicking on it using Cute-FTP. If you are uploading web pages you ***MUST*** NOT SKIP THIS STEP. If you do, your web pages will NOT be accessible over the web. Note that when you initially logged in, you should have started in your home directory, illustrated by the /users/y/yourname field. Also, note that the ".." directory means "Go UP one directory".
Step 4- Find files locally
FTP is like a hose, connecting 2 machines that each have several connection points. Each end of that hose must be told where to connect. We've already connected the remote end of that hose to your "www" folder. Now, we need to connect the local end of that hose to the folder on your PC where your website is saved. Navigate around on the left side of the connection screen, using ".." to go "up one directory" until you locate your files. If they are saved on the Windows Desktop or in the My Documents folder, , the directory will be C:\WINDOWS\desktop\YourFolder in windows 95,98, and ME, and at C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Desktop in Windows NT, 2000, and WinXP.
Step 5- Upload the files
Now, transfer the files. You simply drag and drop to upload. Note that it may take a minute to complete the transfer, the progress will be shown on the bottom of the window. You can also add files to the queue, which is a list of files that will be uploaded all together once they are all selected. You may do this with the Q+ (queue add) and Q- (remove from que) buttons on the top, and transfer with the Qt button (queue transfer).
Notes on other FTP systems
Both Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer have the ability to transfer files via. FTP. You have probably done this on the web already without knowing it. The command for doing this goes where you would normally type web addresses (i.e. http://domain.com) - you type ftp://username:password@login.netmar.com (or ftp://username:password@homer.netmar.com for linux hosting customers). Please note that this is *VERY* insecure and is not reccomended.
Telnet allows users to communicate across various machines. Telnet gets the user to the 'login:' prompt of the machine they telnet to. Telnet works between machines with an internet connection, and will not work via modem. Telnet emulates a direct link to the computer, and allows the user to type in commands as if they were actually sitting at the computer.
Telnet is the powerhouse when connecting to the internet. Once a user has established a telnet connection, they are free to do almost anything. Telnet allows users to read mail, modify, edit, and execute files, surf the 'net(although without graphics), transfer files, and read news. In short, telnet can pretty much do it all.
To login via telnet from Windows 95, 98, Me, or XP, simply click the Start Menu and navigate to the Run command. When the run box appears, type telnet login.netmar.com as shown:
The window will appear, and after a few seconds, you'll be prompted for your username (login) and password. Please note that your username is just your 3-8 character login (a.k.a screen name). It is a single word in all lower case letters. If you do not know what your username is, you can look at the top right-hand corner of any of your invoices, or at the lines in your Weekly Statistics report just before the numerical table that says "Account."
Enter your login and press ENTER. Enter your password, and press ENTER. You will then be shown your disk usage, any announcements, and a prompt. The "netmar>" prompt allows you to enter any of the valid shell commands discussed throughout the Users' Guide.
The World-Wide-Web (WWW or Web, for short) is the most popular form of internet access, and the fastest growing. The WWW is growing at such a rapid rate because of its presentation oriented nature. The WWW allows users to create documents that combine text with pictures, sounds, and even motion pictures. Other users can then access these documents and view them. Visitors to WWW pages can download almost any graphics, sounds, or movies they like. Your Netmar account is accessible on the Web in two different ways:
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http://www.your-domain.com/
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http://netmar.com/~username/
Where username is the login name of the user in whose home directory the pages reside and where yourdomain.com is the available domain name you register. |
