1) What in the world is FTP!?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the simplest and most secure way to exchange files over the Internet. Whether you know it or not, you most likely use FTP all the time. The most common use for FTP is to download files from the Internet. When downloading a file from the Internet you're actually transferring the file to your computer from another computer over the Internet. This is why the T (transfer) is in FTP. You may not know where the computer is that the file is coming from but you most likely know it's URL or Internet address.

Here at AmberHost Hosting, we manage our very own FTP server. Which means, you can upload files the same way as you download them. Upload is basically the exact opposite from downloading a file, such that rather than transferring a file from another computer over the Internet to your own, you are transferring a file TO another computer over the Internet.

Please read our section below on how to SET UP an FTP session on your computer. :-)

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2) Do I need a special program to use FTP?

No, but we recommend that you do find one. You may access a free FTP Manager within your control panel for you to use (with nothing to install!). However, you'll have to upload each file one at a time and it can get time consuming. There are, in fact, several free FTP Editors on the web and we recommend you to check out CuteFtp or zdnet downloads and perform a search for FTP editors (take note that some may require some form of payment if you like them.. but others will allow you to use them free of charge with the exception of some features).

FrontPage, DreamWeaver, CuteFTP and such utilities already have an FTP transfer tool BUILT IN to them, so no need to look for additional sources. Personally, I use DreamWeaver MX to access this site and maintain/manage all the files I need. I enjoy dreamweaver because it not only manages my FTP, but it also allows me to design HTML and such (as this site uses). Of course, I may use some other programs as well, but I could basically do everything I needed with this software (although it comes at a price :-/)

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3) How do I login with FTP?

The most popular question here at AmberHost Hosting! ;-)

With our CPanel software this is really easy to configure.

Host: A) If you have domain access, just enter: ftp.yourdomain.com or your master IP Address provided in your activation email
B) if you haven't established your URL enter: 111.111.111
(of course, replace 111.111.111 with your server IP)

Main UserName: simply enter the username created for you on account activation
or for additional UserNames: (must add within control panel) username@yourdomain.com

Password: (password)

If you have ANY problems with this, please contact us

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4) How many FTP Accounts do I have?

 

All our plans comes with unlimited FTP accounts!

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5) In what directory should I upload my files?

In the following folder: /public_html/

Or if you need the FULL root URL: /home/username/public_html

Where USERNAME is the username given to you in your Activation Email.

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6) Is there a certain file limit for my uploads?

Nope! Go nuts! Although do remember this: the larger of a file you upload the longer of a download it will be for those needing to download files. :-) Be gentle.

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7) I made a ftp account with a new user/pass but what is the url to his/her folder?

Simply http://www.yourdomain.com/~username/

Of course, replace USERNAME with the name of the FTP user you have created and, obviously, replace 'yourdomain' with your domain name. :-)

If you have ANY problems with this, please contact us

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FTP: HOW DO I CONFIGURE...
1) FrontPage

Ok, don't go nuts, we DO have an answer for you! To configure FrontPage, you first have to make sure the extenstions are installed in your control panel. Once you have done that, you need to configure FrontPage to respond to your account. :-)

a) Installing FrontPage Extensions (if you haven't done so already):

this is as simple as a point and click and you will only need to do this ONCE. Simply login to your web based control panel. You will need to have you ACTIVATION EMAIL handy as how to access your control panel. :) Once you're in your control panel, you will see the vast menu of options. On the RIGHT column, there will be a category entitled: SITE MANAGEMENT. Under the 'site management' menu, click on the option: FRONTPAGE EXTENSIONS. You will be taken to a page with a button that will have a button saying "(Re)Install Extentions". Please take note of the warning on that page! Simply click on the button "(Re)Install Extensions," give the server a few moments, and those extensions will be installed! That's it!

 

b) Configuring FrontPage to work with your account:

You will only need to do this once. :) Simply configure the pages you would like to configure and when you are finished, go to the "File" Menu (on the top left in your FrontPage program) and select "Publish Web...". This will take you to a window where it will ask "Specify the location to publish your web to:". In this area you will need to type in the following:

ftp://111.111.111/public_html
replace 111.111.111 with the IP of yourserver:
this is found in your Activation Email

OR if your domain has already been updated
by DNS servers, you may enter:
http://www.yourdomain.com
replace 'yourdomain.com' with your own domain

Once you have selected this make sure that you click on "Publish" to proceed with publishing. However, we have implemented special security procedures to make sure our server knows which account you are trying to access as well as your password. This username and password combination is the same combination used for your control panel, :). And that's it! Give the server a moment to respond, and all the files will transfer. FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, Microsoft requires you to re-enter your username and password each time you re-open FrontPage and attempt to Publish. The FTP address (above), however, will be saved, so you only need to remember your username/password combination.

As always, If you have ANY problems with this, please contact us

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2) WS_FTP

In this example, we are using WS_FTP Pro 7.5. You will want to configure your WS_FTP information to the following specifications:

Host name: 111.111.111
(replace 111.111.111 with the IP of your server: this is found in your Activation Email)

UserID: your master username
Password: your master password

Account: you may leave this blank
Comment: you may leave this blank
Anonymous: UNCHECKED
Save Password: check at your own risk
Save Account: you may leave this unchecked

Passive Mode: UNCHECKED
Secure (SSL): you may leave this UNCHECKED

As always, If you have ANY problems with this, please contact us

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3) CuteFTP

In this example, we are using CuteFTP 5.0 XP. You will want to configure your CuteFTP information by going to the Site Manger (File>Site Manager or pressing F4), selecting New... and configuring your information to the following specifications:

Label for site: you may enter anything here to help you organize your site from others. :)

Host name: 111.111.111
(replace 111.111.111 with the IP of your server: this is found in your Activation Email)

FTP site User Name: your master username
FTP site Password: your master password

FTP site connection port: 21
Login Type: Normal

As always, If you have ANY problems with this, please contact us

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4) Dreamweaver

In this example, we are using Dreamweaver MX. You will want to configure your Dreamweaver by creating a "new site" (Site>New Site), selecting New... and configuring your information to the following specifications:

What would you like to name your site?: you may enter anything here to help you organize your site from other sites you may have within DreamWeaver.

Do you want to work with a server technology… : Select No.

How do you want to work with your files during development: Select “Edit local copies on my machine, then upload to server when ready (recommended)”

Where on your computer do you want to store your files: Select a location on YOUR computer where you would like to store all of your web site information (or locate the root directory of where your site is on your computer)

How do you connect to your remote server: Select “FTP”

What is the hostname or FTP address of your Web server: Here you will want to enter your domain (yourdomain.com). OR, if your DNS has not resolved, you may simply enter the following server: Host name: 111.111.111
(replace 111.111.111 with the IP of your server: this is found in your Activation Email)

What folder on the server do you want to store your files in: public_html/

What is your FTP Login: use the FTP login found in your activation email (usually your account USERNAME)

What is your FTP Password: your account password (be sure to click SAVE if you would like it to save your password for future connections).

Test Connection: if you are online (on the internet), click on this button to confirm the above settings are correct. If this fails, then review the above information to make sure it matches correctly. Remember, passwords and usernames are case-sensitive (which means if it shows all lower-case in your activation email, you will need to set it all lower-case here). You want to see a message similar to the following: “Macromedia Dreamweaver MX connected to your Web server successfully.”

Do you want to enable checking in and checking out files…: Select “No, do not enable check in and check out.

Then select Done, and you are all set! For more information regarding Dreamweaver, please consult your DreamWeaver manual/tutorial.

As always, If you have ANY problems with this, please contact us :)