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Uploading Files to the Web Server

After you create/update a Web site on your computer, you'll need to upload the Web site files (which includes Web pages, images, and perhaps PDF files) to a Web server, where they are accessible to others on the Internet.  In most cases you will upload your Web pages using File Transfer Protocol or FTP.

Many web content authoring programs include built-in web publishing capability. For example:

• in some cases this involves installing proprietary extensions on the Virtual Server (e.g., Microsoft FrontPage)
• other packages use the HTTP "PUT" method
• more commonly publishers will provide support for simple FTP

However, it is not necessary to rely on your web content authoring program to publish to your site. You can compose your web content using any program and then manually FTP the content to your server. This page discusses the following topics:

• General Instructions for using an FTP Client
• Uploading Files Using WS_FTP (for MS Windows)
• Uploading Files Using Fetch (for Macintosh)

General Instructions for using an FTP Client

Using an FTP client to upload content to your Web server is a very simple process. The following guidelines provide a general overview of uploading files to your Web server.

1. You will need an ftp client for your local machine. You can find many free and useful clients on the Internet. However, to simplify this process for you, IHR recommends the following FTP software:
   • If you use Windows, then use WS_FTP. Detailed FTP instructions are available from the manufacturer.
   • If you use a Macintosh, Fetch is the most popular (and friendliest) FTP client available.  Detailed FTP instructions are available from the manufacturer.
2. Connect to your Web server via FTP using your login id and your login password supplied by your Web hosting provider.
3. When you log in, you will be placed in your home directory for your Web files.
4. You should continue to use the same file extension format for all your HTML files.  That is, if the file names all end in .html, then create new HTML files with an extension of .html, rather than .htm.
5. IMPORTANT: Be sure you ftp all your files as follows:
   • HTML files, as well as any text files such as cgi script source code in ASCII format!
   • All your image files need to be transferred in BINARY format.
   • Your FTP program should allow you to select the file transfer mode, either ASCII or BINARY. Most FTP clients have an "Automatic" transfer mode option that can be set - when this option is selected the FTP client will automatically determine which file transfer mode to use when you upload or download files.

Uploading Files Using WS_FTP (for MS Windows)

If you are using MS Windows, WS_FTP is an extremely friendly, intuitive and easy-to-use client. Here are instructions:

1. Download WS-FTP® Pro on the Internet (costs about $39.95).  NOTE: Do not download WS_FTP Server, which you do not need.
2. Set up the product on your computer.  It comes complete with instructions.
3. Launch the product and start to establish a connection to your Web server by selecting the "Connect" button.
4. Specify the your company name as the "Profile Name", your domain name (or temporary domain name if your domain name has not yet been registered) as the "Host Name/Address", your login name as the "User ID", and your login password as the "Password".
5. Once a connection is established, two columns will appear on your screen. The column on the left displays files on your computer while the column on the right represents directories and files on your Virtual Server.
6. You should have been automatically placed in the appropriate directory to update your files.  You should be able to recognize the files on your Web server.
7. Select the appropriate files or directories that you want to transfer from your computer (the left side) to your Virtual Server (the right side) by selecting them with your mouse. You can select more than one by holding down the shift key.
8. Once these files are selected you simply click on the arrow "-->" pointing toward the right or toward the Virtual Server directory window.
   NOTE: Be sure that all HTML documents and cgi script are transferred in ASCII mode. Graphics should be transferred in Binary format. The latest versions of WS_FTP provide an "Auto" toggle button you can select- WS_FTP will then automatically determine which mode to transfer the file.  IHR recommends that you start with "Auto" mode.

Uploading Files Using Fetch (for Macintosh)

If you are using a Macintosh, Fetch is probably the most popular FTP program available and is quite easy to use. Here are instructions:

1. Establish a connection to your Web server by selecting the "New Connection" button under the "File" menu.
2. Specify your domain name (or temporary domain name if your domain name has not yet been registered) as the "Host", your login name as the "User ID", and your login password as the "Password".
3. After you access the server, you should automatically be placed in a directory with your Web files.
4. To upload content to your Virtual server you can either drag files and folders from your desktop to the Fetch window or select the "Put File..." button and select files and folders.
   
   NOTE: Be sure that all HTML documents and cgi script are transferred in ASCII mode. Graphics should be transferred in Binary format. Fetch also has a setting, "Automatic", that you can select- Fetch will then automatically determine which mode to transfer the file. IHR recommends that you start with "Automatic" mode).