Transferring Large Files Using FTP

FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is a computer independent way of transferring files from one computer to another across the internet.  Typically, one computer acts as a server, and provides storage space for files.  Users have an FTP "client" or program on their computer that will send and receive files from an FTP server.

TCRCM web site has a FTP server on it-- at ftp://ftp.tcrcm.org.  This is one way that we get page files onto the server, and if we were to give out the username and password, it would be very easy for someone to erase our entire website and replace it with porno material or ????? Thus we will only give that out to those that help maintain the site.  In addition, we must pay for the space we use, and I don't want to pay extra just to store seldom-retrieved files.  So a separate, no cost FTP site has been set up for members to store files such as pictures and such that other members might want to download.

Most web browsers (Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc.) have the ability to download a file from an FTP site: most of the downloads you see on a web site are actually going to an FTP server.  Browsers don't currently have a way to upload a file from your computer to the FTP server storage area.  They also don't handle FTP usernames and passwords well.  For this you need an FTP client.  There are a few for sale, but also several that are free.  I use WS_FTP LE, a free one from Ipswitch.  They also make a pro version for a few bucks.  This is for the MS Windows operating systems.  There are others available for Macs and Unix/Linux systems.  The below shows how to set up WS_FTP LE-- but the setting values will be similar on whatever you get.  Click here to download a copy of WS_FTP LE.

When you start WS_FTP, it will show the initial connection page. There are several pre-defined sites already selectable under the profile name.  Click the "new" button to define a new FTP server site profile for TCRCM. You can name the profile anything, but the Host Name/Address, Host Type, User ID and password must be set as shown below.  The password is the letters tcrcm followed by the current site gate combo, all run together (no space) all in lower case.

Now click the "Advanced" tab on this dialog box.  The default values are normally OK, except the passive transfers.  Shut this off.

Press the OK button and you should get connected to the ftp server at sgster.dyndns.org (TCRCM), if it is operational.  It has more than 2gb of disk space, so you can put lots of photos on it, or whatever.  The screen below shows the general view.

The left half of the screen shows your computer's disk space.  The right side is the disk space on the FTP server. WS_FTP LE will transfer a file from your computer to the FTP server, or vice versa. Click and highlight the files that you want to transfer, then click the appropriate directional transfer button in the middle (-->). It is pretty obvious once you use it some.  You can also transfer entire directories.  Use the online help that comes with the application.

Steve Sterling

This page last updated 12/15/01 15:30