FileZilla Setup
From DreamHost
Introduction
FileZilla is a FREE application (for Windows, Macs and Linux) that allows you to make connections to remote computers for (primarily) transferring files using several protocols including; FTP and most importantly SFTP . In this tutorial we'll concentrate on using the SFTP protocol as that's what we'd recommend that you use.
It's an easy to use yet very powerful application that can do much more than just transfer files and best of all it's FREE! Once you've got it installed I'd recommend checking it out thoroughly to find out everything it can do.
FileZilla Setup and Tutorial
This brief tutorial assumes that the FileZilla software is already installed and working on your computer. If you have not done that yet please download the software and install it.
FileZilla is available for Windows, Macs and Linux so just about everyone can use it. And best of all it's FREE!
Short & Quick
This screen shot shows how to quickly make a connection to a remote server using the SFTP protocol.
NOTE: If the remote servers user account is not configured to accept SFTP connections then you will get an error!
"Unknown host key" dialog box
Once you make the connection you'll see a dialog box like this (at least the first time). This is not an error, don't panic! Just check the box to accept the key and add it to your cache. You should only have to do this once.
If you don't accept the key and add it to your cache you may see this dialog box pop up over and over again.
Getting to know your way around
This is what you'll see once you've been connected. You can basically use FileZilla just the same way you would any other FTP client software. It's just that things will look a little different and it's secure.
Drop & Drag to transfer directories & files
In the default configuration you'll see your local computers drives and directories on in the left pane and the directories and files on the remote server in the right pane. On the remote server side you'll notice that some of the directories have "?" (question marks) over them. That simply means that they have not been listed yet. Just double-click on them to list them. You'll see its contents (subdirectories and files) listed in the lower half of the pane.
Drop & Drag directories or files from one side to the other to initiate the transfer. It's that simple! You can also right-click (if your OS supports that) on directories and files to get other options.
NOTE: Double-clicking on a directory or file will cause it to be transferred to the other pane immediately (to whatever is the currently selected directory in the opposite pane).
NOTE: The lock icon in the lower right hand corner indicates that you're using an encrypted connection. You can click on that icon for more information.
Accessing the Site Manager
Click on the top left computer icon to open the Site Manager. You can use that to set up connection profiles to make connecting to remote servers quicker and easier. The following screen shots will guide you through the process.
NOTE: When logging into your account using SFTP you may notice some differences from what you would normally see when you logged in with a normal FTP client! This is true, things are a little different. DO NOT PANIC! Please see the NOTES section of the SFTP Wiki article for more information on this.
Using the Site Manager to set up a new connection profile
Click on the "New Site" button to get started.
The "General" tab
Give the profile a name by typing over the default "New site" that's already entered for you in text box on the left side of the screen.
Fill in the other parameters as indicated in the screen shot. Once you've finished with the "General" tab click on the "Advanced" tab to continue.
The "Advanced" tab
Set the "Servertype" to "Unix" (as all of our servers are Unix servers).
If you are NOT in the Pacific timezone (GMT-8) then you might want to also adjust the "Adjust server timezone offset" parameters as necessary. You can probably leave the other settings with the default values.
Once you've finished with the "Advanced" tab click on the "Transfer settings" tab to continue.
The "Transfer settings" tab
Set the "Maximum number of connection" to 4. You can probably leave the other settings with the default values. Once you've finished with the "Transfer settings" tab click on the "Charset" tab to continue.
The "Charset" tab
You can probably leave these settings with the default values. Once you've finished click on the "OK" to finish and save this new connection profile.
Using your connection profiles
Now that you've got at least one connection profile set up you can start using it.
Click on the drop-down arrow to the right of the computer icon at the top left corner of the screen. Your connection profiles will be displayed under your mouse. Select the one for the server you want to connect to by clicking on it. Viola' you'll be connected to that server shortly!
NOTE: I'd recommend that you mouse over the other icons below the menu bar to see what they do and check out all of the other menu options as well. Get to know all of the other features this program has to offer so you can use it to its fullest!
NOTE: You can also use FileZilla to connect to servers using the FTP protocol as well (port 21). However you should know that the FTP protocol passes data, usernames and passwords in PLAIN TEXT which is a terrible security risk! This is why we'd obviously recommend that you use SFTP (port 22) whenever possible because it is encrypted and therefore much more secure!
