Transferring Files to the Web Server with WS_FTP

Once you have created the files for your web pages, save them to the hard drive of your computer. You then need to transfer them to the Web server. For this, you will need to use an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) program called WS_FTP to transfer copies of your HTML files and images to your folder on the Web server. Complete a Computer Services Work Order from to have the software loaded on your office computer. 

Directions for transferring your files:

   1. Open WS_FTP WS_FTP Icon
   2. The following dialog box will appear (your user name information will be different.)

FTP Sessions Properties Dialog GIF

Your Session Profile
Instead of typing your information each time you want to transfer files, WS_FTP lets you create and save a Session Profile. The first time you connect to the Web server, you can set up a Session Profile.

To set up a profile, click on the New button in the Session Properties window. Fill in the boxes on the screen, similar to the picture above.

     Profile Name: Webserver
     Host Name: www.waycross.edu
     Host Type: Automatic Detect
     UserID: Your User ID (assigned when your FTP account on the Web server is set up.)
     Password: Your  password (also assigned when your FTP account is set up.)

Saving the Session Profile
WS_FTP gives you the option of saving your password in the session profile, so you don't have to type this information again.  If you are using a computer to which only you (and those you trust) have access, click the Save Password box. After it is saved, from then on, you need only select the Profile Name from the list in WS_FTP when you want to transfer files.

Once you have the correct information filled in, click on the OK button. If you did not choose to save your password, you will be prompted to fill it in now.

When WS_FTP connects to the Web server, you will get a screen similar to the one below.

Remote Site: this is your folder on the Web server. /library in this example.
Local System: d:\html\library in this example. (The location of the files on your computer you want to transfer to the Web.)

WS_FTP Program Image

The left side of the window shows your LOCAL directory (the one on YOUR computer.) The right side shows the REMOTE directory on the WEB SERVER. You transfer files from left to right.

To transfer files from your machine to the Web server:

  • First make sure to select the correct directory on the right (if you have more than one from which to choose.)
  • Second, click on and highlight the file to be transferred on the left side.
  • Next, click on the arrow that points to the RIGHT in the center of the screen. --->
Changing Directories
If the files you want to transfer are not listed in the left window, you may not be in the correct directory. The current directory on your computer is listed at the top left of the window.
  • To move to a different disk drive, double-click on the letter corresponding to the drive.
  • To move to a higher level directory, double-click on the two periods (..)
  • To select a subdirectory of the current directory, double-click on the subdirectory name
  • Alternatively, you could click on the change directory button and type in the directory path.
Once you have located the files you want transferred, you have to select the method of transfer. Click on a file in the left window. To select more than one file, hold down the Control key when you click other file names. HTML files and graphics files must be transferred by different methods. There are three options at the bottom of the screen. Choose one of the options according to the file type you are transferring.
  • ASCII: Use this for HTML or text files
  • Binary: Use this for graphics files or program files
  • Auto: Let WS_FTP decide
Once you transfer the files, go to your web browser and navigate to the web page that is being updated then click the Reload Current Page button to make sure your change were made.

IMPORTANT
The main "home page" file in your directory must be named index.htm. Otherwise you will only get a listing of all the files in the your directory, not pretty Web pages. See below. As EVERY directory has an index.htm in it, do not name a main file index.htm until after it is transferred, to avoid overwriting the wrong file.

Renaming Files
Rename a file on the Web server in WS_FTP. Click on the file name in the right side window and click on the Rename button on the lower right side of the window. Type index.htm in the blank in the dialog box that comes up. It is not necessary to rename other files.

When you are satisfied that your files are correct, close WS_FTP by clicking on the close button at the top left of the screen, then click on the exit button at the top right of the screen.

Please forward any comments or suggestions to foxweb@waycross.edu

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Last updated August 2, 2007