How to use an FTP-client

Why FTP?

The File Transfer Protocol is used to speed up file transfer between computers. An FTP-client is the best solution if your website contains hundreds or thousands of files – copying them one by one is a very ungrateful task.

 

What is FTP?

FileZillaTM is a file transfer application for Windows. It uses FTP to copy files between computers and/or servers connected to the Internet.

 

Where can I download FileZilla?

FileZilla is a free application and it is not time-limited. To download FileZilla, click on the link below:

Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7
Linux
Mac OS X (Intel)
Max OS X (PowerPC G4)

 

How to use FileZilla?

Download FileZilla and install it on your computer. Launch the application and you’ll see the following window:

 

Using FileZilla for the first time

On the main menu go to File -> Site Manager:

  • Click on the New Site button in the lower part of the Site Manager window:
  • Change the selected New FTP site string to the name you want to use, for example, www.my_site.lv.
  • In the Host field enter your FTP address, for example, ftp.my_site.lv.
  • Change Logontype to Normal.
  • In the User field enter your username, for example, me@my_site.lv.
  • In the Password field enter your password.
  • Enable the Default site option.

 Accessing a server

  • To connect to a server go to File -> Connect to default site on the main menu.
  • You will see two file/directory lists – on the right-hand side of the window and on the left-hand side of the window.
  • Layout:
    • The files and folders on the left-hand side refer to your local system or computer.
    • The files and folders on the right-hand side refer to the Web server or the remote system.
  • You should see the following folders on the right-hand side: 'mainwebsite_html', 'mainwebsite_cgi' and 'mainwebsite_perl'. The folder you’ll need for your website files is 'mainwebsite_html'.
    • The files and folders in the 'mainwebsite_html' folder will be visible to other users.
    • The files and folders outside the 'mainwebsite_html' folder will be invisible to other users.

 Copying files

  • Select the files you want to copy in the file/directory list on the left-hand side of the window.
  • Select/open the destination folder in the file/directory list on the right-hand side of the window. If the files you want to copy are necessary for the operation of your website, choose the 'mainwebsite_html' folder.
  • Drag and drop the selected files from the list on the left hand-side to the opened directory on the right-hand side of the window.
  • Once file copying is finished, click on Refresh to reload the file/directory list on the server and verify that all the files have been copied correctly.
  • Now you should see the copied files in both windows.
  • Once all files have been copied, click on File -> Disconnect on the main menu.
  • To exit the application, just close the main window.