up249 Advanced GIS

Using FTP to Transfer Files

Introduction
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, an Internet standard for moving whole files of almost any type between machines connected over the Internet. For this class, we have set up a specific FTP directory on the Web server for the purpose of allowing students to transfer files and to turn in class assignments electronically.

Vocabulary
In order to upload (send) or download (receive) files via FTP, you need to use an FTP client. The FTP client, or program, we will be using from any computer attached to the network in the lab is called WS-FTP. This program is also available as part of the Bruin Online package for PC's. If you use a Mac at home, the program you will use is called FetchIt, in which case the concepts below are the same, but the methods are different. Both are available for free over the Internet.

When you start the WS-FTP program, you are opening an FTP Session, or connection, between the computer you are working at and the Web server.

The Host name is the Internet address of the computer you are attempting to connect to (the Remote System). A User Name and Password are necessary to connect to the Remote System. For UP206a, we have assigned 206ftp as the User Name and gis as the Password (both lowercase). While you are connected, the Left side of the screen will show the hard drive of the computer you are sitting at (the Local System), while the Right side of the screen will show the hard drive of the computer you are connected to (the Remote System).

Establishing an FTP Session
1. Start the FTP program (In the lab, double click on the FTP icon in the Internet Tools). The FTP Session window will appear. DON'T HIT ENTER UNTIL YOU HAVE FILLED OUT THE FORM OR IT WON'T WORK!
2. Enter in the host name: www.sppsr.ucla.edu
3. Leave the Host Type as set: automatic detect
4. Enter your username: 206ftp (lowercase)
5. Enter your password: gis (lowercase)
6. Under your INITIAL DIRECTORIES
     for remote system: /up206a
         [If you can't set the directory here, you can set it once connected.]
     for local PC: leave blank, or set to C:\
7. Click on OK.

Establishing an FTP Session

Transferring Files from your computer to the Server
When you first log onto the Web server (i.e., www.sppsr.ucla.edu), be sure you are connected to the /up206a directory on the Remote System. If you are not, click the ChgDir button and enter /up206a to move to that location. Double click on the directory with your last name. The current directory is displayed in the top window. Unless asked to do otherwise for an assignment, ONLY TRANSFER FILES INTO THE DIRECTORY THAT HAS BEEN SET UP FOR YOUR USE! Each student is allowed a maximum of 5MB of data. Contact Doug Houston (dhouston@ucla.edu) if more space is needed.

1. Under Local System, locate the file that you want to transfer, by moving to the correct directory.
2. Under the Remote System, enter your home directory (the directory with your last name).
3. Highlight the file you would like to transfer on the LEFT side (local system).
4. Click on the arrow that moves from left to right (the arrow which moves from Local System to Remote System).
5. Make sure that the file transferred to your directory and not the parent directory (/up206a).

WARNING: FTP WILL OVERWRITE FILES WITH THE SAME NAME WITHOUT PROMPTING YOU! BE CAREFUL!!

Transferring Files from the Remote System to your Computer
The process is exactly the same, except you highlight the files on the Remote System and Click the arrow moving from right to left to the Local System.