FTP Website
Uploading your website to the internet

What is FTP?

FTP stands for "file transfer protocol" and it is a method of transferring files between two computers (i.e. you and your web host). FTP allows you to get access to files stored in the disk directory of a remote computer that is connected to the Internet.

Sharing resources

Sometimes we forget that the Internet, when you strip away all the hype, is really still just a large network of computers. One of the primary purposes of a network is to allow different computers on the network to share resources, including files. The ftp process provides a way of doing that.

Here is a simplified diagram of how the ftp process works

Files can be transferred in either direction. "Downloading," refers to a transfer of a file from a remote computer to your computer. "Uploading" refers to a transfer of a file from your computer to a remote computer.

Simplified diagram of the FTP (file transfer protocol) process

At least some form of FTP is available to anyone who has access to the Internet.

FTP is an information "service" available to any Internet user, just like the web and e-mail. FTP, like many other services, is independent of the software you use to access it.

Uploading and Downloading

Simply put, FTP allows you to enter a directory on a computer connected to the Internet and transfer a file to or from that directory to a directory on another computer. Normally, you will be transferring the file to or from a large, multi-user computer (i.e. your web host) and your own computer.

FTP programs

There are many FTP software programs available for the webmaster. Two of the most commonly used FTP programs are:

WS_FTP LE - For Windows
WS_FTP is the smarter way to transfer files because it makes sharing files secure, reliable, efficient, and easy.
Fetch - For the Mac
Fetch is an easy-to-use, full-featured FTP client for the Apple Macintosh.

FTP implementation

In order to upload or download a file by FTP, you need to do four things:

Login into a remote computer that has been configured as an FTP server.
Submit a username and a password to gain access to the remote system.
Change to the particular directory on the remote system which contains the file you wish to download or upload.
Transfer the file to or from the system in question.

Work with your web hosting company

One more thing before you begin. Your ISP (see: about web hosts) probably already has help pages set up for uploading your pages.

In fact some will provide a program that organizes your files, prepares them for upload and then publishes them to the internet.

Follow their instructions to the letter. Each web host has different and/or unique set ups and recommendations for uploading to their servers.

Look at their website first and see what you can find. Needless to say, follow their upload instructions over mine.


Copyright© 1999 - 2011 Rocketface® Graphics	Rocketface® Workshop	Analyze	Organize	Develop	Implement	Maintain	Site Map	Index

FTP Website Uploading your website to the internet