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WS_FTP LE is a graphical FTP (File Transport Protocol)
client for the Windows platform. It allows users to
transfer files to and from the MCPS web servers from
the local workstation. This works from within and outside
the MCPS domain.
The primary user of WS_FTP is the webmaster creating
or updating a web site using a Windows environment.
In MCPS TechMod schools, WS_FTP is in the program folder.
In addition to this guide, there are the aides WS_FTP
tutorial
and FTP
New User Guide available online.
Note: If the program is not present on your workstation,
on other Windows based machines, you must use an alternative
FTP client. Both WS_FTP Home and WS_FTP Professional
are available for purchase or 30-day trial at the Ipswitch
web site. The Home version is the next rendition
of the former WS_FTP client. There are also numerous
other FTP applications available for free and for purchase.
Web Services is not able to support or endorse any of
these at this time.
When you launch the WS_FTP program, you get a dialog
box like the one below allowing you to create a new
session. The first time you use FTP at a workstation,
you will set up a new Profile.
- Click on the New button to set
up a new profile.
- Type in a profile name of your choosing e.g. MCPS
web
- Type in the name of the host computer
- www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org for web pages
- multimedia.montgomeryschoolsmd.org for streaming media
files
- tpilot.montgomeryschoolsmd.org for TestPilot3 server
- For Host Type, leave the setting at Automatic detect
- UserID: enter your assigned logid e.g. internet\smithjan
- Password: leave blank and it will prompt you for
a password when you try to connect. You should
not check save password. If you do this for your
convenience, anyone else using this computer will
have access to the MCPS server and your files.
- Account: leave blank.
- Comment: leave blank.
- Click on the Startup tab (You
only need to do this once as you set up each profile.)
- Initial Remote Host Directory: If you are doing
a school website use /schools; otherwise your initial
remote directory may be /curriculum or /departments.
You can add your special file directory name at
the end. Your spelling must be exactly correct.
- You are not required to specify
an Initial Local Directory, but you may want to
do this, especially if you always keep your web
files in the same directory on your computer. For
TechMod schools, this will likely be on the H: drive.
Navigate to your files and enter the path exactly
as it shows in the Local System path (left window,
top box) Access to other drives is at the bottom
of the list in the left window. Double click on
the H: drive to find your files in a TechMod school.
- Now, click on OK to login.
- Enter your password when requested.
- You will hear a signal and see a Data Connection
message under the Local System window upon a successful
login.
On subsequent logins at the same workstation:
- you will be able to choose Connect
in the lower left corner of the FTP window
- Choose your Profile Name from the drop down list
- Confirm your login: internet\userUD
- Click OK.
- Enter your password when requested.
Transferring files from your local folder (on your machine
or local file server) to the MCPS server is commonly
called “uploading.”
- On the left side of the window, you can see files,
directories, and disk drives on your local hard drive
or file server. Navigate to the directory where your
web files are located.
- The green arrow at the top of the window allows
you to go “up” another level in the
directory structure.
- Double click on folders to open them or go “down”
a level in the directory structure.
- On the right side you can see directories
and files on the remote (MCPS) server. Double-click
on directories until you get to your school or department.
Note: You only have permission (rights) to upload
to your assigned school or office directory.
- Click on your file in the left window to highlight
it
- Click on the -> (arrow pointing
to the right.)
- Your file will be transferred to the remote server
in the directory that is visible in the right window.
It is possible to transfer the entire contents of
a folder at once. But make sure that the folder is
visible within the right box.
- Click on exit when you are done.
Changes will NOT be reflected on the server until the
file has been saved locally and FTP'd to the server. You
may have to refresh the browser window to see the latest
version of the file. If the file has been uploaded into
the wrong folder e.g. the graphics folder, rather the
pages folder, you will not see your most recent changes.
Transferring files from the MCPS server to your local
computer or file server is also known as “downloading.”
This process is the same as for “uploading”
(transferring files to the remote server) except you
will select the files or folders you wish to transfer
in the right window and use the <-
(left pointing arrow) to copy the files “down”
to your local system.
Yes. Most HTML editor programs have some means of FTPing
built into their code. Because there are so many variations,
the Web Services Team is not able to provide support for
these internal FTP clients. It is always possible
to separate the functions of updating web pages from the
FTP (uploading) function. Web Service will support you
if you need help with the WS_FTP LE application.
Contact Web Services Team at webmaster@mcpsmd.org
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