FTP (File Transfer Protocol) allows files to be transfered between PC and Unix computers and between Unix computers. FTP is a service on the Internet that predates the World Wide Web.

About FTP    FTP Using Internet Explorer    Command Line FTP    Map Cent1 Drive in Windows   

About FTP

FTP allows you to do the following:

• Transfer files anywhere* (recommended) using FTP in Internet Explorer.
• Transfer files between PC and Unix computers using the standard command line FTP.
• Transfer files between Unix computers using the standard command line FTP utility - logon to Unix and type: MAN FTP.

*except in the University from some PC Labs to (and from) Internet sites - see FTP from PC Labs and ResNet PCs

*Temporary Warning - 'passive FTP' is not working from ResNet PCs at present. The situation is being investigated. Until the situation is resolved, use the 'FTP to Unix then to your PC' workaround detailed below.

FTP Becomes More Popular

FTP is becoming more widely used because email systems are putting restrictions what can be sent as an attachments. There are two restrictions being put on attachments on email:

• Restrictions to size of attachment - Internet email systems, e.g. Hotmail, restrict the size of email attachments to save disk space.
• Ban on sending executable files as attachments - email administrators ban the sending of executables to stop email worm viruses from infecting the site.

FTP is often the answer for people looking for alternative ways of sending files.

FTP Anywhere Using Internet Explorer 

Internet Explorer 7

Internet Explorer v7.0 does not do drag and drop FTP. The current alternative is to use 'Windows Explorer'.

1. Start Windows Explorer - pressing 'Windows key' & E is my favourite way.
2. Type the ftp address into the address line in the form:

ftp://(username):(password)@(ftpsite).(domain) - e.g.

ftp://bloggsj:pass4567@papers.milkwood.ac.uk

3. Press Enter

You should now see the FTP site in 'Windows Explorer' which you can drag files to and from.

Older Internet Explorer versions

You can use Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, 5.5, 6.0 to FTP (transfer) files to and from FTP servers.

You will need:

• Internet Explorer 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 - to discover your version:
  Click on the 'Help' menu, then on the 'About Internet Explorer' option.
• ensure that 'Use Passive FTP' option is on to ensure that webcaches and firewalls can be crossed.
  1. Run Internet Explorer.
  2. Click 'Tools' menu then 'Internet Options' - see tabbed dialog.
  3. Click on the 'Advanced' tab - see list of options.
  4. Ensure that 'Enable Folder View for FTP' is selected (note - until 30/01/07, this was wrongly listed as 'not selected').
  5. Scroll down to the bottom of the 'Browsing' section, then ensure that the 'Use Passive FTP' option is selected.
  6. Click OK

All...

The FTP process is secure and is protected by using usernames and passwords.

To access University FTP servers you will need:

• Your unix username - generally the same as your Windows username.
• Your unix password - recent accounts will be the same as Windows, older accounts will have a different password.

Other FTP sites will also require usernames and passwords, but many sites accept:

• username: anonymous
• password: your email address

This is known as 'Anonymous FTP'.

FTP Locations

If you are a member of the University you can FTP to the following areas:

1. Your personal University web area - where your personal home page is kept (if you have one).
2. Your unix area - most people have space on the University's Unix server.
3. Any FTP server on the Internet.

Proceed to Transferring Files below.

A - Connecting to Your Unix Filestore

To connect to your Unix filestore:

1. Ensure Internet Explorer (Windows Explorer, if you have IE7) is running.
2. Into the address line at the top type:
   ftp://(unix username)@cent1.lancs.ac.uk/ - see box asking for your password.
3. Type in your unix password, then click OK - see your Unix filestore.

Proceed to Transferring Files below.

B - Connecting to Your Personal Web Area 

To connect to your web space area:

1. Ensure Internet Explorer (Windows Explorer, if you have IE7) is running.
2. Into the address line at the top type:
   ftp://(unix username)@ftp.lancs.ac.uk/ - see box asking for your password.
   Note - 'FTP' appears twice in the line above (deliberately).
3. Type in your unix password, then click OK.
4. Double click on the public_html folder - see your personal web space.

Proceed to Transferring Files below.

C - Any FTP Server on the Internet 

To connect to an FTP Server on the Internet:

1. Discover what the FTP is called.
2. Ensure that you have an account (username and password) for the server*
3. Ensure Internet Explorer is running.
4. Into the address line at the top type:
   ftp://(username**)@(FTP server name) - see box asking for your password.
5. Type in your password***, then click OK - see the files on the FTP server.

* Some FTP servers on the Internet (called 'anonymous FTP' servers) do not require you to have an account or username.
** Anonymous FTP servers accept the username 'anonymous'.
*** 'Anonymous' FTP servers often accept your email address as a password.

Transferring Files 

To transfer files to and from your PC:

1. Ensure that Internet Explorer is open 'part screen' (rather than full screen).
2. Run Windows Explorer and ensure that it is 'part screen'.
3. 'Drag' files between the two screens - see them upload or download.

Alternatively:

1. Click on the file to upload/download.
2. Click on the 'Edit' menu, then the 'Copy' option.
3. Switch to the other window - from 'Windows Explorer' to 'Internet Explorer' or vice versa.
4. Click on the 'Edit' menu, then the 'Paste' option - see file upload/download.

FTP From PC Labs and ResNet PCs 

The instructions below (passive FTP through the webcache) do not work in all cases; an alternative is being considered.

FTP is not allowed 'directly' between PC Labs, ResNet PCs and the Internet. The port is barred for technical reasons from PC Lab and ResNet networks. You can use IE using 'passive FTP' (or other 'passive FTP' aware FTP clients) through the webcache. However in some of the PC Labs IE is not configured for 'Passive FTP' at present. A fix is being worked on, but if it is still a problem for you now - you can use the following procedure:

To FTP to Internet sites from PC Labs and ResNet (when 'Passive FTP'):

1. FTP from the PC to your Unix account*.
2. FTP from your Unix account to the Internet site.

To FTP from an Internet site to a PC Lab or ResNet PC:

1. FTP from the Internet site to your Cent1 account.
2. FTP from your Cent1 account to your PC Lab or ResNet PC*.

* Mapping Cent1 in Windows - alternatively you can 'map' your Cent1 filestore to your Windows PC and do ordinary Windows copies.

For Members of the University Only

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