Take Control of Your Website with FTP

File Transfer Protocol

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol (Wikapedia FTP), and it is a standard network protocol used for transferring files between a client and a server on a computer network, typically the Internet. FTP is commonly used for uploading, downloading, and managing files on remote servers. It's a fundamental tool for web developers, system administrators, and anyone who needs to move files between computers or servers.

Here's a basic overview of how FTP works and how to use it:

Client and Server: FTP involves two entities - the FTP client and the FTP server. The client is the software or program you use to connect to a remote server, while the server is the machine that stores the files you want to transfer.
Connection: To use FTP, you need to establish a connection between your FTP client and the FTP server. You'll typically need the following information to connect:
- Host Address (or IP Address): This is the address of the FTP server you want to connect to.
- Port Number: FTP typically uses port 21 for control and port 20 for data transfer, but it can vary.
- Username and Password: Often, you'll need a username and password to access the server, unless it's configured for anonymous access.
File Transfer: Once connected, you can use FTP commands to navigate directories on the remote server and transfer files between your local machine and the server. Here are some common FTP commands:
- ls or dir: List files and directories on the remote server.
- cd: Change the current directory on the remote server.
- get: Download a file from the remote server to your local machine.
- put: Upload a file from your local machine to the remote server.
- Delete or rm: Delete files on the remote server.
- mkdir: Create a new directory on the remote server.
Terminating the Session: After you've completed your file transfers or other operations, you can disconnect from the server using the bye or quit command.

There are also graphical FTP clients available that provide a user-friendly interface for transferring files. Popular FTP clients include Cyberduck and WinSCP for Windows.

Included in this guide are directions to using several of the most popular programs for both Macs and PCs to upload your files to our Web Hosting servers.

Root Directory vs. WWW Directory
All domains hosted by Web Host Pro have a unique username and password when accessing the server via FTP. Each hosted domain and the virtual host has an individual WWW Directory within the Root Directory for the account. FTP programs will log the user into the Root Directory unless you specify otherwise. When in the Root Directory, the WWW Directories are listed and usually accessible simply by clicking on the folder. Whenever uploading files, make certain they are being uploaded to the WWW Directory and not the Root Directory.

Default Page
The default page for your site must be named index.html, index.htm, index.php, and index. cgi. However, the Web Host Pro servers will only default to the index.htm page if there is no index.html page already in that WWW Directory. This is important to note because the Under Construction page which Web Host Pro places on all newly hosted sites is an index.html file. If your default page is index.htm you must make certain to delete the index.html file already in the WWW Directory.

Firewall
If a computer is behind a firewall, connecting via FTP may require adjusting certain settings on your FTP program. Though these settings may be found in different areas of the program, generally the way to connect via FTP from behind a firewall is to set the program to Passive mode. In addition, many programs have an option to Enable Firewall Access.

General FTP settings:

FTP Host Address: yourdomainname.com (your domain name has to be working at Web Host Pro for this FTP host to connect)

FTP site User Name: Your Web Host Pro cPanel username (sent in your welcome email and is the same as your cPanel)

FTP site Password: Your Web Host Pro cPanel password (you chose this when signing up and is the same as your cPanel)

FTP site Port Connection: 21

Popular FTP Programs

Cyber Duck (Windows / Mac)

Free
https://cyberduck.io/
CyberDuck has the most intuitive and modern FTP system available. If you are willing to pay a small fee you can get the cream of the crop for FTP.

WinSCP (Windows)

Free
https://winscp.net/
WinSCP is a very basic but highly reliable FTP and SFTP program for free. It's very common for programmers and webmasters. It has become more user-friendly recently and is used for personal websites more than any other FTP program.

Smart FTP (Windows)

Free
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/
SmartFTP is a network file transfer program for Microsoft Windows that supports file transfer via FTP, FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, and more.

CORE FTP (Windows)

Free
https://www.coreftp.com/
Now you can download Core FTP LE - free Windows software that includes the client FTP features you need.

Additional FTP Programs

These FTP programs are a little outdated and some might of even stopped updating the software. Investigate before using these FTP programs below.

CUTEFTP

$59.99
https://www.globalscape.com/cuteftp
Choose Site Manager from the File menu. Choose which folder you would like the Site Profile to be in (possibly in the General FTP Sites folder) and click on the New button. Next, fill in the following fields

Label: Whatever you want to name the site profile

FTP Host Address: yourdomainname.com

FTP site User Name: Your Web Host Pro username

FTP site Password: Your Web Host Pro password

FTP site Port Connection: 21

Set the Login Type to Normal

Then click on Connect.

Once you are logged in, the left window is the Local Window and the right window is the Remote Window. In the Remote Window, you will be logged into the Home Directory; open up the Domain Directory to which you want to upload your site. Then, choose the files in the Local Window you want to upload and click and drag them to the Remote Window.

The next time you need to upload to that site, simply choose Site Manager from the File menu and click on the Site Profile and click Connect.

If you are behind a firewall, you may need to change the settings. Choose Settings from the Edit menu. Double-click on Connection and then click on Firewall. Check the Enable Firewall Access and PASV mode boxes. This should allow you to upload from behind a firewall

WS_FTP

$54.99
https://www.ipswitch.com/
Upon opening WS_FTP the Session Properties window will pop up. If you have entered the information before this session, simply choose the Profile Name of the site you wish to use. If you have not already entered the site you are uploading to, click the New button to clear the fields and then enter the following:

Profile Name: Enter your domain name here

Host Name/Address: Enter your domain name here

Host Type: Automatic Detection

User ID: Your Web Host Pro username

Password: Your Web Host Pro password

If you are located behind a firewall or gateway, you may need to alter the settings to allow for Passive transfers. To do this, click on the Advanced tab and check the box next to Passive Transfer.

Next, click OK to log in.

The window on the left is the local listing and the window on the right is the remote listing. To upload files, simply highlight the files to transfer and either click and drag them from the local to the remote window or click the arrow button between the windows

DREAMWEAVER

$20 a month
https://www.adobe.com/products/dreamweaver.html
When starting a new site, simply go to the Site pull-down menu and choose New Site. If resetting the FTP information on an existing site, choose Define Sites from the same pull-down menu and click on the site you wish to set up.

Choose Remote Info from the Category list and in the pull-down Access Menu choose FTP. Then fill in the following fields as such:

FTP Host: yourdomainname.com

Host Directory: /www/

Password: your FTP or cPanel password

When you want to upload your site, simply choose the Connect to Remote Host icon (it looks like 2 wires plugged together) on the toolbar of the Site Window. Then, copy your files from the Local Folder to the Remote Site

MACINTOSH / APPLE

Commander One

https://mac.eltima.com/ftp-manager.html

Press "+" button to add a new FTP connection to the list.
Give your connection a name of your choice.
Choose a protocol - simple FTP, FTP over SSH, and secure FTP with SSL.

In "Server" field enter your IP address or domain name.
Enter your login credentials in "Login" and "Password' fields". If the server allows, you can use Anonymous access.
Specify whether you want to store your user ID in Mac OS Keychain.
Choose Passive or Active FTP mode and home directory for connection.
Now, press "Connect" button, and your server will be displayed as a mounted drive in the Commander One window. You can select it in either panel, or both of them simultaneously to optimize the workflow.

Commander One allows transferring and editing files over FTP, as well as changing files' permissions directly on the server.

FETCH

https://fetchsoftworks.com/

Fill in the fields with the following information:

Host: yourdomainname.com

User ID: Your username

Password: Your password

Directory: /www/

Then click OK and you're logged in.

Once you're logged in, you can upload by clicking and dragging files from the desktop or any open folders into the Fetch Window; or, using the " Put File " button

TRANSMIT

https://www.panic.com/transmit/index.html

Upon launching Transmit fill in the following fields:

Address: yourdomainname.com

Username: Your username