FTP FAQ

1. I uploaded my files but still see your page. Why?
2. How can I upload my site?
3. How do I use Cute FTP to upload files?
4. How do I use WS_FTP to upload files?

1. I uploaded my files but still see your page. Why?

If our "Future Home of" page, index.html, has not been replaced by another index page, then anyone going to yourdomain.com will still see the "Future Home of" page instead of some other home page.

This is the order in which the web server looks for a page to put up as the "home" page:

index.html index.wml index.cgi index.shtml index.jsp index.js index.jp index.php4 index.php3 index.php index.phtml index.htm default.htm default.html home.htm

Just delete the index.html file and anything after it in this list will then come up automatically.

2. How can I upload my site?

Unless you have or will be utilizing Frontpage Extensions on your site, you can use the File Manager located in your cPanel Control Panel to view all the directories and files in your account, as well as change permissions for directories and files, create directories, create and edit files, and upload files from your hard drive to your account.

If you would like to use another FTP client for uploading files to your site, we highly recommend using WS_FTP if you are not familiar with FTP clients. When the FTP client asks for a hostname or address, make sure to enter your IP ADDRESS until your domain name is indexed by the registry (which usually takes 24 to 48 hours but sometimes can take up to one week). All of your files and subdirectories go into your public_html directory.

Now that we've distinguished where your files go, there are several ways, depending on your computer system, that you can transfer files to your account directory. The process by which files are transferred to the web server is called "FTP" (File Transfer Protocol). You 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.

To upload your files to your account without using the File Manager in your Control Panel, you need an FTP program. For the PC users, visit: http://www.wsftp.com to download the newest version of WS_FTP Pro for the PC, one of the most popular FTP programs on the web.

For the Macintosh, a program called "Fetch" is used. Visit http://fetchsoftworks.com to download the newest version of Fetch.

After that point, you may use ftp.yourdomainname.com where it asks for host name. The FTP client will also ask for a Username or Login Name and Password. Enter your account Username and Password. (Make sure that Anonymous is NOT checked and Host Type selected is UNIX STANDARD. Also make sure "Passive" mode is NOT checked.) Once logged in, you will see several directories: cgi-bin, ftp, and public_html. If you have any scripts such as CGI's that need to be executable, place them inside the cgi-bin directory. In your HTML code, link to files in this directory by /cgi-bin/filename.cgi. For text and images files, place in the public_html directory. It's usually helpful to have an "images" directory to keep all your images organized. You will notice we already created one for you when we uploaded your "Future Home of" page.

REMEMBER -- When uploading files:

ASCII vs. Binary

Text-based files get sent in ASCII mode (.txt, .doc, .html, .htm, .shtm, .cgi, etc.)
Non-text based files are binary mode (.jpg, .gif, .exe, .mdb, .zip, pdf, .doc, ect...)

3. How do I use Cute FTP to upload files?

When CuteFTP is loaded the first time, a window will appear. If the window doesn't appear, press the F4 function key. Click on "Personal FTP Sites" and then click on "Add site." Add the following to the FTP Site Edit window:

-Virtual domain users should enter their domain name in Host Address
-All users must enter their username and password in the appropriate boxes
-Make sure Login type is Normal
-Do not add anything to the Initial Remote Directory Box

To download Cute FTP or for more information please visit: http://www.cuteftp.com. Or you can download a Cute Ftp user's guide here: http://cuteftp.com/support/manuals.shtml

4. How do I use WS_FTP to upload files?

When WS_FTP is loaded the first time, a window will appear listing stored FTP locations. If the window doesn't appear, click on Connect. Click on New. Add the following to the Session Profile window:

-Virtual domain users should enter their IP Address (NOT the nameserver ip)
-All users must enter their username and password in the appropriate boxes
-Leave blank the Account and Remote Host boxes
-Make sure the Anonymous Login box is not checked.
-Host Type selected should be Automatic Detect or UNIX Standard (either is ok).
-Passive mode should not be checked.
-Click on Save and then OK.

As always, if you need any help at all, feel free to email us at support@canadianwebhosting.com