Accessing the Internet with Anonymous FTP

Transferring Files from Remote Computers

What is FTP?

• FTP is an abbreviation for “file transfer protocol” (the rules used to communicate over the Internet).

• In this course, we’ll cover using ftp to access ftp archives on an anonymous ftp site.– ftp archives are collections of files made available to

the public.– An anonymous ftp site is a computer with ftp archives

permitting anyone to log on with the username: anonymous and password: your e-mail address.

Ways to transfer files with FTP

• From the PC FTP program:» FileZilla» F-Secure File Transfer

• From a Web Browser (Internet Explorer/Firefox):

– ftp://anonymous_ftp_site_address• From Time Sharing computers (UNIX/VMS):– $ ftp name-of-anonymous-ftp-computer• $ -> the prompt once you’ve logged onto the

machine

What do you need to know?1. The name of the ftp site (host computer).

For example, ftp.FTPplanet.com

2. The name of the file to be transferred. MPSetup.exe

3. The directory path where the file is stored/MP3_Software/Windows_Media_Player/

How to use the PC ftp software?• Start the ftp software

(FileZilla or F-Secure).• Enter the host’s name.• Enter anonymous as the username.• Enter your complete e-mail address as the

password.

Host, usecs.pitt.edu

Username

Password

Connecting to the Server

Viewing Files

Files on your computer

Files on host computer

Navigate to the right path

Use Dr. Novacky’s FTP

Archive

Drag+Drop to Transfer

Downloaded File

Target File

Transfer Status

Log

FTP from Unix• Open up the SSH client and connect to a UNIX

server• You could also connect using Telnet • Once at the unix prompt, enter:

$ ftp name.of.ftp.site (ftp.FTPPlanet.com)

• Enter anonymous as the username and your email.address as the password.

• Once connected, you will see the prompt:ftp >_

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Anonymous FTP Login within UNIX

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FTP Commands

• Binary -prepare to transfer a binary file

• ascii -prepare to transfer a text file

• get file.to.retrieve -receive file from server

• put file.to.place -place file onto server

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FTP Commands

• ls

• pwd

• quit or bye

– List the files in the current directory

– Show current directory

– Quit the program

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FTP Commands ...

• mget prefix*

• ?• cd name.of.directory

• help command

– retrieve a group of files, prefix is the first few characters in the file name

– list all commands– change directory

– request help on command

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Stepping through the Site

Change Directory

Listing the content of the folder

Download the file

FTP from a Web Browser

• Enter the URLftp://name.of.the.ftp.site

Press ENTER• To change directory, click once with the

mouse• Get back to the parent directory use

“backspace” key

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FTP from a Web Browser

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FTP from a Web Browser