FTP Anywhere Using Internet Explorer
You can use Microsoft Internet Explorer to FTP (transfer) files to and from FTP servers.
You will need:
Internet Explorer 5.0 (or higher) - to discover your version:
click on the 'Help' menu then the 'About Internet Explorer' option.
ensure that 'Use Passive FTP' option is on to ensure that webcaches and firewalls can be crossed.
run Internet Explorer.
click 'Tools' menu then 'Internet Options' - see tabbed dialog.
click on the 'Advanced' tab - see list of options.
ensure that 'Enable Folder View for FTP' is not selected.
scroll down to the bottom of the 'Browsing' section, then ensure that the 'Use Passive FTP' option is selected.
click OK
The FTP process is secure and is protected by using usernames and passwords.
To access University FTP servers you will need:
your unix username - generally the same as your Windows username.
your unix password - recent accounts will be the same as Windows, older accounts will have a different password.
Other FTP sites will also require usernames and passwords, but many sites accept:
username: anonymous
password: your email address
This is known as 'Anonymous FTP'.
FTP Locations
Members of the University can FTP to the following areas:
your personal University web area - where your personal home page is kept (if you have one).
your unix area - most people have space on the Universities Unix server.
any FTP server on the Internet - any FTP on the Internet.
Proceed to Transferring Files below.
A - Connecting to Your Unix Filestore
To connect to your Unix filestore, this is what you do:
ensure Internet Explorer is running.
into the address line at the top type:
ftp://(unix username)@cent1.lancs.ac.uk/ - see box asking for your password.
type in your unix password then click OK - see your Unix filestore.
Proceed to Transferring Files below.
B - Connecting to Your Personal Web Area
To connect to your web space area, this is what you do:
ensure Internet Explorer is running.
into the address line at the top type:
ftp://(unix username)@ftp.lancs.ac.uk/ - see box asking for your password.
Note - 'FTP' appears twice in the line above (deliberately).
type in your unix password then click OK.
double click on the public_html folder - see your personal web space.
Proceed to Transferring Files below.
C - Any FTP Server on the Internet
To connect to an FTP Server on the Internet, this is what you do:
discover what the FTP is called.
ensure that you have an account (username and password) for the server*
ensure Internet Explorer is running.
into the address line at the top type:
ftp://(username**)@(FTP server name) - see box asking for your password.
type in your password*** then click OK - see the files on the FTP server.
* some FTP servers on the Internet (called 'anonymous FTP' servers) do not require you to have an account or username.
** anonymous FTP servers accept the username 'anonymous'.
*** 'anonymous' FTP servers often accept your email address as a password.
Transferring Files
To transfer files to and from your PC:
ensure that Internet Explorer is open 'part screen' (rather than full screen).
run Windows Explorer and ensure that it is 'part screen'.
'drag' files between the two screens - see them upload or download
Alternatively:
click on the file to upload/download
click on the 'Edit' menu then 'Copy' option.
switch to the other window - from 'Windows Explorer' to 'Internet Explorer' or vice versa.
click on the 'Edit' menu then the 'Paste' option - see file upload/download.
