FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

Files are moved about our lab and throughout the department (or the world for that matter) by File Transfer Protocol or FTP. This is one of many data transfer protocols, Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Post Office Protocol (POP) are two well known others. We use WS_FTP LE as client software and WAR_FTPD software as server software on our Windows 2000 computers. The machine from which the files are to be retrieved is usually set as a "server" by launching the server software and the machine to which the files will go is set as a "client". Your files must be in the C:\Download directory, or a sub directory of it, since only those directories have permission set to allow file transfer.

An FTP session is begun by launching the client software and selecting the Profile Name in the Session Properties dialogue. Each of our computers lists the others in the lab by its name. If you are going to another computer in the department you will need the client software (downloadable from the Computing Help Desk) and will need to set a profile for the AIL computer to which you wish to connect. Call the profile whatever you like, but the HostName/Address must be correct for the machine to which you are connecting. Each machine's address will follow the structure name.biol.uvic.ca where name is the computer's name: lsm, elon, pyro, quinol, amidol or metol. Checking the box next to Anonymous will complete the User ID and Password fields. At that point click OK and, assuming the other machine is enabled as a server, the connection will be made.

At this point the dialogue below will appear. The left window represents your "local" computer and you will need to navigate to the directory into which the files are to go. The right window represents the remote computer from which you are FTPing files. You will need to navigate to the C:\Download directory or subdirectory, select the files to be moved and click the left pointing arrow to begin the transfer. Entire directories can be moved along with all the files they contain.

End your FTP session by exiting the client software. For security reasons the AIL computers are not normally enabled as servers. The machine from which you wish to FTP will need to be enabled for your session and then disabled.