Command line FTP is a free utilty which is available on all PCs and Unix computers. Command line FTP can be used to transfer files between Windows PCs and Unix computers.

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

Introduction To Command Line FTP

Command line FTP is available on PCs and Unix (cent1). You can FTP between PCs and Unix, or Unix and remote Unix.

Command Line FTP Between PCs and Unix   Command Line FTP Between Unix and Unix

PC to Unix Command Line FTP 

1. click on the 'Start' button then the 'Run' option.
2. type: ftp cent1   then press Enter.
3. type: (your username)   then press Enter.
4. type: (your password)   then press Enter - see 'FTP>' prompt.

Using FTP Help System

To list available FTP commands:

1. at 'FTP>' type: help   then press Enter - see list of available commands.

To get more help on a FTP command:

1. type: help (command)   then press Enter
   e.g. help pwd   
   e.g. help get   

Preparation

You will need to check what files are on your PC and Unix folders and you may need to change to a new folder:

1. type: lcd (local directory or disk)   
   e.g. lcd a:\   changes to your floppy disk.
   e.g. lcd c:\temp   changes to your temp folder.
2. type: pwd   then press Enter - to check which Unix folder you are in.
3. type: ls -l   then press Enter - to view list of unix files.
4. optionally type: cd (unix directory)   then press Enter.
   e.g. cd mail   changes to your unix 'mail' folder.
5. use 'Windows Explorer' to list files on your PC directory!
6. repeat the 'lcd, pwd, ls -l & cd'  commands until you are satisfied that you are in the correct folders.
7. type: bin   then press Enter (to ensure all documents are transferred whole).

Transferring The Files

To transfer a file from your 'Unix to your PC':

1. type: get (filename)   then press Enter
   e.g. get accounts.xls   

To transfer a file from your 'PC to your Unix' account:

1. type: put (filename)   then press Enter
   e.g. put assign.doc   

Finishing Off

To finish a session and logout:

1. type: bye   then press Enter.

Command Line FTP Between Unix and Unix 

Make a connection to your Unix account. The following is the most basic connection:

1. click on the 'Start' button then the 'Run' option.
2. type: telnet cent1   then press Enter
3. type: (your username)   then press Enter
4. type: (your password)   then press Enter - see '%' prompt.

Preparation

You will need to check what files are on your PC and Unix folders and you may need to change to a new folder:

1. type: ls -l   - for list of files in your Unix filestore.

Optionally:

2. type: CD (folder name) e.g. cd graphics then press Enter.
3. type: ls -l   - see list of local files.

Connecting to the Remote FTP Server

To start FTP and connect to a remote FTP Server - 'ftp.mirror.ac.uk' is used as an example:

1. type: ftp ftp.bris.ac.uk
2. type: (your username on the site) or anonymous
3. type: (your password) or (your email address)   
4. see the FTP> prompt.

Navigating

To list files on the remote system and change the remote directory:

1. type: ls -l then press Enter.
2. type: cd (directory) e.g. cd pub then press Enter.
3. type: ls -l then press Enter.

Transferring The Files

To transfer a file from the remote site to your cent1 Unix account:

1. type: get (filename)  then press Enter.
   e.g. get readme.txt   
   e.g. get accounts.xls    

The files will land in your current cent1 directory.

To transfer a file from your cent1 account (current directory) to the remote FTP site:

1. type: put (filename)   then press Enter
   e.g. put assign.doc   

Logging Out

To finish a session and logout:

1. type: bye   then press Enter.

Using FTP Help System

To list available FTP commands:

1. at the FTP> prompt type:help   then press Enter - see list of available commands.

To get more help on a FTP command:

1. type: help (command)   then press Enter
   e.g. help open   
   e.g. help get   

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