gFTP: Transferring Data From the Internet

Contents

15.1. ASCII vs. Binary Transfers
15.2. Connecting to a Remote Server
15.3. Transferring Files
15.4. Setting Up an HTTP Proxy Server
15.5. For More Information

Abstract

GNOME FTP (gFTP) is a multithreaded file transfer client. It supports FTP, FTPS (control connection only), HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, and FSP protocols. Furthermore, it allows the transfer of files between two remote FTP servers via FXP. To start GNOME FTP, press Alt+F2 and enter gftp.

Figure 15.1. GNOME FTP

GNOME FTP

ASCII vs. Binary Transfers

There are two common ways of transferring files via FTP: ASCII and binary. ASCII mode transfers files as text. ASCII files are .txt, .asp, .html, and .php files, for example. Binary mode transfers files as raw data. Binary files are .wav, .jpg, .gif, and mp3 files, for example.

To change the transfer mode click FTP and choose Binary or Ascii.

When transferring ASCII files from Linux/Unix to Windows or vice versa, check the option FTP+Options+FTP+Transfer Files in ASCII Mode to ensure that newline characters are correctly converted. This option will automatically be disabled in Binary mode.

Connecting to a Remote Server

To connect to a remote server, do the following:

  1. In GNOME FTP, click Remote+Open URL....

  2. Specify a URL to connect to, then enter a username and password.

    Specify a URL to connect to, then enter a username and password. Leave the username blank to log in as an anonymous user.

  3. Click Connect.

    If connection is successful, a list of the files on the remote server appears in the right part of the GNOME FTP window (the file list on the left side is your local computer's directory of files). You can now upload and download files via drag and drop or by using the arrow buttons.

To bookmark a site you access frequently, click Bookmarks+Add Bookmark. Specify a name for the bookmark, then click Add. The new bookmark is added to your list of bookmarks.

Transferring Files

In the following figure, the file list on the right contains the remote server's directory of files. The file list on the left side contains your local computer's directory of files (on your hard drive or network).

Figure 15.2. gFTP File Transfer

gFTP File Transfer

To download files, select the files you want to download in the remote list of files, then click the left arrow button. The progress of each download is listed in the field in the middle of the window. If the transfer is successful, the files appear in the directory listing on the left.

To upload a file, select the files you want to upload in your local directory listing on the left, then click the right arrow button. The progress of each download is listed in the field in the middle of the window. If the transfer is successful, the files appear in the remote directory listing on the right.

To modify preferences for your downloads, click FTP+Options.

Setting Up an HTTP Proxy Server

To set up an HTTP proxy server, do the following:

  1. In GNOME FTP, click FTP+Options, then select the FTP tab.

  2. Enter the Proxy hostname and Proxy port. If applicable, also provide your login credentials for the proxy server. Choose HTTP Proxy from the Proxy Server Type drop-down list.

  3. Click the HTTP tab, and enter the same proxy server information as above in the dialog box. Note that port numbers for ftp and http proxy may differ. If in doubt, ask your system administrator.

  4. Click OK.

For More Information

You can find more information about gFTP at http://www.gftp.org.