Step 8: Choose an FTP Client for File Transfers

One of the most basic tasks you will need to perform as a Developer Server administrator is uploading files to your Developer Server. In most cases, you will upload web content using File Transfer Protocol (FTP), so you will need an FTP client for your local computer.

There are many free FTP programs available on the Internet. Search for "FTP programs" in your favorite search engine. You will likely be overwhelmed by the amount of FTP clients available.

But don't transfer files just yet. You cannot upload files until you have created user accounts and set up your directories. (See Step 10.) However, now would be a good time to get an overview of what is involved in uploading content to your Developer Server() Some FTP clients are:

• WS_FTP (http://www.ipswitch.com/products/ws_ftp/) - for Windows
• Fetch (http://www.dartmouth.edu/pages/softdev/fetch.html) - for Macintosh
• Console - Most operating systems (UNIX, NT, Windows 95/98) are shipped with a built-in FTP client that is accessed from a "console window." Many people don't use a console FTP client partly because they don't know one exists and partly because console FTP clients have a steeper learning curve. Once you use, learn, and master a console FTP client you will very likely never use a graphical FTP client again. (It sounds crazy, but it's true for many people.) More information on using Console can be found:
  • Using a Console FTP Client ()
  • Chapter 2 of this Handbook

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