Maintenance (Uploading Your Files to the Server)

The process by which files are transferred to the web server is called "FTP" (File Transfer Protocol). Web hosts nowadays allow you to have unlimited access via FTP 24 hours a day. As such, you can create and maintain your web pages on your own computer and upload files to your web site at your leisure.

If you are using FrontPage, you must create your new web on the "localhost" system. This is accomplished by selecting "create new web," and then entering "localhost" in the line where it asks for the web location. Once you have completed your web on your computer, you can then select the "publish web" option from the file menu in FrontPage Explorer. You will be prompted for your IP address and web name and then it will send it to our servers. Please note that you will be prompted for a user ID and password, and depending on your system configuration it may be the one that we issued you or it may be the one that you entered when you first installed FrontPage. If one does not work, then simply try the other. If you have forgotten what that password was, then you will need to reinstall FrontPage and select a new one.

NOTE: If you are using FrontPage, you should NEVER use regular FTP to upload your files. This will damage the extensions. Stick with one or the other all the time.

For instructions for the most popular FTP client software for both PC and Macintosh users, see the instructions to follow.

FTP - File Transfer Protocol - The basics

Once you have chosen your FTP program such as Cuteftp, WS-FTP (see below) you should attempt to upload and download one or two files to make sure it is working.  The majority of cPanel accounts (except email only accounts) come  with at least one FTP account already set up which cannot be deleted - depending on your hosting account you may be able to create others - this is done by going to your cpanel, clicking on ft Manager  which will bring up another menu.  Then simply click on ftp accounts - add ftp account you will then get a screen asking you for the login details you wish to use for the new account and simple directions to follow.

Once this is done you can use this account for FTP or provide a friend with limited access etc.

In any event whatever FTP client you decide to use you will typically need the following

•  FTP Host Address this is normally your domain name with ftp. added in front. eg: ftp.1stchoicewebhost.co.uk
  
• FTP username This will normally be the same as your cpanel user name which often is the first 8 characters of your domain.
  
• FTP password  For the main FTP account this will be the same as the cpanel

This is normally all the information you need but if you do require any other details I am sure your web host will inform you on sign up

If you receive an error message please check to make sure you have entered all the information correctly.  Remember with linux servers the details are CaSE SenSiTIVe

On most cPanel web servers ftp has a maximum display of 2,000 files.  This means if you have 2,500 files stored in a  single directory you will be able to see the first 2,000

It is recommended that you NEVER have more than 2,000 files in one directory apart from anything else this will slow down the FTP transfer connection.  In the same way you would not have 2,000 files in the root directory of your Hard drive but file them in separate directories.

 The most common for PC users is ws_ftp

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