General Electric Foundation

Computer Center

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

Using FTP to Copy Web Files to Your Personal Web Space at Penn State

August 8, 2000
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 Table of Contents

Introduction
Overview
FTP Software
Penn State Web Space
Helpful Hints

Using FTP to Transfer Files

Start FTP
Open a Connection
Select Directories and Transfer Files
Exit FTP
Test Web Page in Browser

Create a Profile Name

Create a Profile Name

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 FTP: Using FTP to Transfer Files

Overview
• FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, allows you to transfer files to and from another
computer.
• FTP is often used to transfer web pages from a user’s local PC to a remote web
server.
• This document will provide instructions on how to transfer files to your personal
web space at Penn State.

FTP Software
• FTP is available in all public computer labs.
• If you would like to install FTP on your own PC, you will need to obtain the Penn
State CACPAC CD-ROM. There is no charge for this software and you can pick
up a copy from the consultants’ help desk in the Computer Center.

Penn State Web Space

• Penn State provides disk space on its web server for personal web pages. In order
for your web pages to reside on PSU’s web server, you need to have an Access
account. Then you need to apply for web space. To do so, go to:
http://cac.psu.edu/news/current/webnews.html
and click on the appropriate link to complete the on-line application form.
• After you receive your web space, you may then transfer files to your personal web
space by using FTP.
• To view someone’s personal web page, type:
http://www.personal.psu.edu/ and immediately after the last slash,
type the person’s userid.
Example: http://www.personal.psu.edu/abc123

Helpful Hints
• Penn State initially creates a generic home page for you with the file name of
index.html. This home page lists your name and email address. You will
probably want to replace this generic home page with one that you design. To do
so, simply create your web page, save it with the file name of index.html, and
then FTP it to your personal web space. This will replace the existing generic
home page.
• All web pages and associated elements (such as images, sound clips, etc.) must
reside within the WWW directory on the PSU web server.
• To make sure your web pages work properly, it is advised that you create identical
directory structures on your local disk and on the web server.

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 FTP: Using FTP to Transfer Files

Start FTP
• The instructions to start FTP apply to the PCs in the Computer Center’s labs. (If
you are using a non-lab PC, your menu configuration will be different.)
• Method:
1. Logon to the PC.
2. Click the Start button.
3. From the cascading menus, select the following items:
Programs/Internet and Other Utilities/FTP.
4. When prompted, type your userid, first name, and last name.
I The FTP screen is displayed and looks similar to Figure 1.

Figure 1

Open a Connection
5. At the Session Properties dialog box… Click the drop-down arrow next to
the Profile Name box and select: Personal Web Pages.
I The FTP screen looks like Figure 2.
I Non-lab users: If there is no profile name for Personal Web Pages,
you will need to create one. See the section, Create a Profile
Name, at the end of this document.

Figure 2

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 FTP: Using FTP to Transfer Files

6. In the User ID box, type your Access accound userid.

Example: abc123
7. In the Password box, type your Access account password. (Asterisks will
appear in this box as you type your password. This helps to protect your
password.)
8. Click the OK button.
I The FTP screen looks similar to Figure 3.
I The left side of the screen refers to the local system (i.e. the PC
you are using). The right side of the screen refers to the remote
system (i.e. the Penn State web server).
I Note: You may see a different drive, directories, and files on your
local system than those shown in this figure.

Local System Remote System

Figure 3

Select Directories and Transfer Files

9. For the Remote System (right side of screen)… Double-click on the WWW
directory.
I Reminders… The WWW directory is the location where all web
pages, images, sound clips, etc. must reside. (This is actually your
personal web space.)
I The WWW directory may contain subdirectories. Don’t forget…
If you choose to have subdirectories, you need to have an identical
directory structure on both your local disk and on the web server.
10. For the Local System (left side of screen)… Double-click on the drive letter
where your web pages are located.
I You may need to scroll down to see the drive letters.
I See Figure 4 for an example of the FTP screen.

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FTP: Using FTP to Transfer Files

WWW Directory is
Selected Drive Opened
(subdirectories and
files are displayed)
Figure 4

11. For the Local System… If your web pages are located in a specific
directory on your local system, double-click on the directory that contains
these files.
I See Figure 5 for an example of the FTP screen.

WWW Directory
on Local System

Figure 5

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 FTP: Using FTP to Transfer Files

12. For the Local System… Click on the file (such as index.html) that you
want to copy to the WWW directory.
I To select a group of consecutive files… Click on the first file of
the group. Hold down the SHIFT key and select the last file of the
group.
I To select a group of non-consecutive files… Click on the first file.
Hold down the CTRL key and select the other desired files.
I To select an entire directory or subdirectory… Click on the
directory or subdirectory.
I See Figure 6 for an example of the FTP screen.

Figure 6

File to be Copied
from Local System

13. Click the right arrow button in the middle of the FTP screen to copy the
selected file on the Local System to the WWW directory on the Remote
System.

Exit FTP
14. Click the Close button to close the session.
15. Click the Exit button to exit from FTP.

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 FTP: Using FTP to Transfer Files

Test Web Page in Browser

16. Start a web browser.
17. Type the web address of your personal web page which is:
http://www.personal.psu.edu/ and immediately after the last
slash, type your userid. Press the Enter key.
Example: http://www.personal.psu.edu/abc123
18. If your web page does not appear as desired, make the necessary corrections
to your files on the local system. Then FTP the newly revised files to your
personal web space. (Don’t forget… You’ll need to click the browser’s
Reload or Refresh button to see the latest changes to the web pages.)

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 FTP: Create a Profile Name

You do not need to create a profile name unless you were directed to do so in
an earlier step.

Create a Profile Name

• A profile name is often created so that you can associate a name with the host
address of a FTP site. (That way, you don’t have to remember the address or type
it in the host name box every time that you want to connect to that site.)
• Method:
a. If you haven’t done so already, do steps 1 to 4.
b. At the Session Properties dialog box…Click the New button.
I The FTP screen looks like Figure 7.

Figure 7

c. In the Profile Name box, type a name that describes the site.
Example: Personal Web Pages
d. In the Host Name/Address box, type: ftp.personal.psu.edu
e. In the User ID box, type your Access account userid.
f. In the Password box, type your Access account password (in lowercase
letters).
I The FTP screen looks similar to Figure 8.

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 FTP: Create a Profile Name

Figure 8

g. Click the Apply button.

h. Resume with step 5 to open a connection.

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