Transferring Files with WS_FTP (PC) and Fetch (Mac)

FTP and Fetch are programs for transferring files between personal computers and foreign hosts.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) runs on IBM compatible. Fetch runs on Macintoshes.

These programs can move any kind of information: images, data, and executables. At MTSU, FTP and Fetch are often used to upload HTML files from the personal computers on which they were written to frank, the mainframe server on which they will be stored. The programs are also useful for downloading files which an instructor may make available from a class account.

People associated with MTSU may download Fetch and FTP for free at http://www.mtsu.edu/itd/services/ftp.shtml

Steps for Using WS_FTP:

1. Start WS_FTP by choosing Start > Programs > Internet Applications > WS_FTP from the Windows desktop.
   A window labeled "Session Properties" should appear.
2. Fill in the appropriate blanks in this window with the name of the server to which you wish to connect (usually frank.mtsu.edu), your user ID, and your password. Click "OK."
3. The left side of the main window displays the files and folders in your PC; the right side displays the files and directories on the remote system. Double-clicking on a folder or directory moves you into it. Double-clicking on one of the green arrows moves you backward to a parent folder or directory. Find the file which you wish to transfer and highlight it by clicking on it.
   
   
   WS_FTP Interface
   
   
4. Under the directory boxes are three radio buttons: "ASCII," "BINARY," and "AUTO." Select one of these checkboxes to indicate your preferred mode of transfer. ASCII is useful for text and data files. BINARY preserves the integrity of image files and executables.
5. See the two arrows in the center of the window? Click the one pointing toward the destination of the file being transferred.
6. The status of your transfer will be displayed in the bottom-left corner of the main window.
7. Click the "CLOSE" button in the bottom-left corner of the main window when you are done transferring files.
   

Tips:

FTP has an annoying habit of automatically closing the connection between your PC and the other computer if the computer sits idle for two or three minutes. When that happens, click the button labeled "CONNECT" to re-establish the connection between the two machines.

If you want an HTML document to be accessible to people surfing the Web, you have to change the permissions on frank after you've transferred the file there.

Open a telnet session, switch to the directory (folder) which received the new file, and give the following command:

frank $ chmod a+r newfilename.html

Learn more about permissions...

Steps for Using Fetch:

1. Start Fetch by choosing the "Fetch" icon from the Apple Menu (top left corner) on the Macintosh. The icon depicts a dog (although it looks more like a koala bear) holding a floppy disk in its mouth.
2. In the "New Connection" window, enter the name of the foreign computer you want to connect to (usually frank.mtsu.edu), your username, and your password. Click "OK. "
3. A new window displays the name and contents of the current directory. Go to the directory which contains the file you want to download or which is the destination of the file you wish to upload by double-clicking on the directory name.
   
   
   Fetch Interface
   
   
4. Select a transfer format from the list of checkboxes to the right of the directory display. They should be labeled "Automatic," "Text," and "Binary."
   Binary is good for executables (*.exe) and image files. Text works well with data, documents, and HTML pages.
5. If you want to download a file from the foreign computer to your Macintosh, highlight the file and click the "Get File..." button.
   If you want to upload a file from your Macintosh to the foreign computer, click the "Put File..." button and select the file to transfer from the Macintosh hard drive
6. Locate the "STATUS" information on the right side of the main window. It should read "Connected." If you happen to lose the connection, select the "New Connection..." option under the "File" menu at the top of the screen.

Tip:

If you want an HTML document to be accessible to people surfing the Web, you have to change the permissions on frank after you've transferred the file there.

Open a telnet session, switch to the directory (folder) which received the new file, and give the following command:

frank $ chmod a+r newfilename.html

Learn more about permissions...

Updated: March 8, 2002 16:05