FTP/Hosting FAQs

1. What is FTP?

   File Transfer Protocol (FTP), a standard Internet protocol, is the simplest way to exchange files between computers on the Internet. Like the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which transfers displayable Web pages and related files, and the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), which transfers e-mail, FTP is an application protocol that uses the Internet`s TCP/IP protocols. FTP is commonly used to transfer Web page files from their creator to the computer that acts as their server for everyone on the Internet. It`s also commonly used to download programs and other files to your computer from other servers.
    
   As a user, you can use FTP with a simple command line interface (for example, from the Windows MS-DOS Prompt window) or with a commercial program that offers a graphical user interface. Your Web browser (IE 4.0 and above) can also make FTP requests to download programs you select from a Web page. Using FTP, you can also update (delete, rename, move, and copy) files at a server. You need to logon to an FTP server. However, publicly available files are easily accessed using anonymous FTP.
    
   Basic FTP support is usually provided as part of a suite of programs that come with TCP/IP. However, any FTP client program with a graphical user interface usually must be downloaded from the company that makes it. (Courtesy: Whatis.Com)

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2. How do I FTP to my server?

   There are many different types of File Transfer Protocol (FTP) software available and each one handles connectivity in a different manner. However, for the most part, you will always need to know three things in order to login:
   
   1) Your FTP login name
   2) Your FTP password
   3) Your FTP server name
   
   You will have provided your login name and your password when you signed up for your account. If you can not access your Qualitynet account, please contact support for assistance.
   
   Your server name will be www.yourdomain.com if you have registered for a domain name and your FTP server/ Host Name will be "ftp.yourdomain.com".
   
   For specific assistance in setting up your FTP client, you may refer to this page or otherwise please contact our support for further assistance. For a more comprehensive look at WebHosting, please check our WebHosting Guide listed at our website http://www.qualitynet.net.

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3. How do I transfer my files to my server?

   Again, this depends on which FTP Client you are using. However, there are certain things you should keep in mind. The first is that when you initially connect, you will be in your "home" directory. However, this is not where you should place your web site files. Only files you wish to be made available via FTP should be maintained here. Once in your home directory, you must switch to your "httpdocs" directory.
   
   Once you have determined where you wish to transfer files to, you must determine whether the file is a binary or ASCII file. This is extremely important because if you choose the wrong type the file will be unreadable on the server (if you do transfer the file with the wrong type, simply upload the file again using the correct type). Text files should always be transferred in ASCII mode. This includes .cfm, .cfml, .cfm, .asp, .php, .pl, etc. If the file is a binary file, it must be copied in binary mode. Binary files are .gif, .jpg, .exe, .ra, .wav, etc.

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4. What FTP Client software does Qualitynet recommend?

   There are many excellent FTP clients. Qualitynet recommends using the following depending upon your operating system:
    
   Windows Users

   • WS-FTP 
   • Cute FTP

   Download the above and more from Qualitynet Tucows mirror (http://tucows.qualitynet.net).
    
   Macintosh Users

   • Fetch (http://www.fetchsoftworks.com)

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5. When I login to my account, I do not see my website, why?

   This is because when you initially log into your account, you will be located in your FTP Home directory NOT your "httpdocs" root directory. You will need to change directories to the HTTP root directory.

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6. When I upload my site, I can see it via FTP, but I don`t see it on the web.

   Please see FAQ above. This is because you deposited your web files in your "home" FTP directory and NOT into your root "httpdocs" directory. For files to be visible to a web browser, they must be copied to the "httpdocs" directory.

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7. I have all my settings correct, but I can not connect. Some times I receive a "blocking call rejected" error message.

   Most likely this is because you are accessing our FTP server from behind a firewall. In cases like this, you must set your FTP client to operate in "passive mode" when making a connection.

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8. Step by Step - How to upload files on Qualitynet FTP server

   Getting started with FTP
    
   Qualitynet WebHosting customers have unlimited access to change/ modify their website via FTP 24-hours a day (depends upon the duration of your account). Please ensure that you are connected to the Internet, before you try to connect through "FTP".
    
   Configuring Your FTP Software
    
   The following graphical representation will guide you through setting up your FTP client. We've used WS_FTP LE, which is and more are available at Qualitynet Tucows mirror site (http://tucows.qualitynet.net). For advanced and more features, please use WS_FTP Pro.

   

   Please insert your details as follows:
   Profile Name
   It can be any name you like. A profile contains the information needed to connect to your web site. Creating a profile will eliminate the need for you to configure the software each time you wish to connect to the web server via FTP

   Host Name/ Address
   Your FTP site name, i.e. ftp.yourdomain.com

   Host Type
   Select "Automatic Detect" - Use this setting to let your FTP software automatically detect the remote server type

   User ID
   Your FTP Username

   Password
   Your FTP Password

   Press "Apply" and then "OK" button to proceed. You will be connected to your FTP site within few seconds.
    
   How to Transfer Files:

   

   When you connect to the FTP site, it will connect directly to the root " / " or "home" directory of your account. WS_FTP will display a split screen where files on the left-hand side are within your own computer, and on the right pane is the remote directory. You may see several folders on the right-hand side such as "httpdocs", bin, cgi and conf, etc. which symbolize a successful connection to your site.
    
   Now double click over "httpdocs" folder, and proceed further to upload your files.

   

   Select the file(s) which you need to upload from left-side pane to the right-side (remote directory) by using the "  " button. Upload all your images to the "images" directory, already defined for you.
    
    Please ensure that the main page, that public will see as your start page should be either "index.html" or "index.htm".
    
   For further support/ assistance on Qualitynet Webhosting service, please check our Hosting Guide.

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