Core FTP is a file transfer program that allows you to move files form your computer to another (remote) computer on the Internet. This program is useful for transfering files to CIRCA's Grove accounts, CNS's nersp accounts and UF plaza accounts. This program is particularly useful for downloading files that are restricted by a username and password.
Core FTP provides SSH/SFTP, SSL/TLS, IDN, browser integration, site to site transfers, drag and drop support, file viewing, file editing, transfer resuming, firewall support, custom commands, URL parsing, command line transfers and more.
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Core FTP is ready to be used the moment it is installed. No further configuration is required. If you want to make changes to the program settings, we strongly recommend reading the help information. The Help button provides an easy to read and helpful guide that explains all of the options available within the program.
Core FTP is useful for transferring files that require a username and password. For example, if you have an account on one of the university computer systems and you want to transfer a file to or from the account, then you would use Core FTP.Core FTP Objectives
- Making a successful connection to a remote computer (for example, via your computer account on campus. This would require the use of a username and password).
- Finding the file you want transferred (accessing the directory where the file is stored).
- Starting the file transfer process (choosing the file and the method of transfer).
Connecting to a Computer on the Internet
When you double-click the Core FTP icon, the program starts and the Site Manager window appears. This window is used to configure the program so that it can contact the other computer. To simplify these instructions, the other computer will be called the remote computer (the computer you are trying to connect to with your own).A listing of stored settings will appear in a menu of sites on the left. You can automatically set up the program by choosing one of the entries in the list. Each entry represents one computer on the Internet that might allow you to access it. It is not necessary for you to use this list. You can manually configure the program by entering the settings yourself. The required settings in the Site Manager window are described below.
In most cases, this is all the information required to set up the program. The other settings are optional and are intended to simplify and reduce the number of decisions.
- Site Name is the name you want to give to the new connection.
- Host/IP/URL refers to the name or IP number of the remote computer. For example, GatorLink users would use the host name "plaza.ufl.edu" for their Web page storage.
- User Id will be the word "anonymous" unless you are informed otherwise. If you have an account on the remote computer, use your username for that account.
- Password will be your full e-mail address if you are using the User ID, "anonymous." If you are using an account username, then use your password for that account.
Information concerning each setting can be found in the Core FTP Help menu.
Once you have entered the information into the Site Manager window, click on the Connect button. You will be prompted for your password. As the program tries to contact the remote computer, information concerning its progress is displayed in a window under the menu bar of the program, called the Log window.
If you successfully connect to the remote computer, the file structure of the remote computer will appear on the right side of the main window. If you are not successful, the reason why should appear in the Log window. To try again, click on the Connect button.
File Structures
Before you can find a file in a computer's file structure, you must understand what a file structure looks like. Think of a file structure as an upside-down tree. The trunk of the tree represents the top directory or folder. The limbs that branch off the trunk represent subdirectories or sub-folders. Each leaf on a limb represents a file inside a directory or folder.
So, like a tree, each directory or subdirectory (trunk or limb) can contain directories and files (limbs or leaves). A directory can also contain nothing. This would be called an empty directory.
Core FTP's main window has two sub-windows inside it. (For discussion purposes ignore the Log window at the top.) The left window reflects your position in the file structure of your computer. The right window reflects your position in the file structure of the remote computer.
You can move up and down the file structures of both computers by selecting the directory you want to view by clicking on the Directory Tree
button for a quick listing of the file structure (or just double-click on the directory you want to go to). If you select the directory represented as two dots (..), you will move up the file structure ( you can also click the Up Directory button
). Choosing any directory moves you down the file structure. DO NOT click on the Delete
button, it is used to delete unwanted directories and files.
Most files that can be downloaded are advertised in the following manner:
plaza.ufl.edu/pub/win3/Core FTP16.exe
- The computer's Host Name (where the file is stored) is plaza.ufl.edu.
- The directory (where it is located) is pub/win3/. This would mean the file is located inside the win3 directory, which is located inside the pub directory.
- The name of the file is Core FTP16.exe.
Finding a File
If you intend to search for the file, know that most file structures have a symbolic meaning in their design. For example, "pub" usually means public so that anyone in the public is allowed to access it.
- Connect to the remote computer.
- Change to the directory containing the file using the right window.
- Look in the window on the right side. If the file is not listed, then the file may have been moved or deleted.
Starting the File Transfer Process
If the file is present (appears in the right window), follow the steps listed below:This will start the file transfer process (downloading). You will see the download begin at the window at the bottom of the screen. When the file is finished downloading it will show that the transfer was a success and the file will appear in the window you where transferring it to. After you are done with all transfers, select the Exit button to quit.
- Decide which directory you want to place the file into on your computer (using the left window). You can move to any place in your computer's file structure and you can even create a directory by clicking on the Make Directory
button).
- Click on the file-name to highlight it.
- Choose the method, ASCII
or Binary
, for transfer.
- Click on the transfer button. The transfer buttons are located in the middle of the window. The button that points left
transfers (downloads) files to your computer. The button that points right
transfers (downloads) files to the remote computer.
Selecting the Correct Method of Transfer
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- There are three options on the Main menu, ASCII Mode
.
- If you would like to transfer a plain-text file (not word-processed), then use the ASCII Mode
- If you would like to transfer a program file, a formatted file (created by a word processor), or a file containing a picture, use the Binary Mode
- If you are unsure, use the Auto Mode
We recommend removing one program at a time and restarting the computer after removing a program. Return to Top
- Click on the Start button and the select Settings and then Control Panel.
- In the Control Panel window, double-click the Add/Remove Software control panel.
- Scroll-down the list of installed applications.
- Select Core FTP Lite 1.3b and click on the Add/Remove button.
- Follow the instructions on the screen.
Any questions concerning this CD can be directed to the UF Computing Help Desk . The UF Computing Help Desk is located at HUB 132 at the University of Florida. You can reach the Help Desk by calling (352) 392-HELP (4357) or by sending an e-mail to helpdesk@ufl.edu.
