FTP Using an Internet Browser

Date: 25 July 2001
Author: Greg deJong
Enhancement: n/a
Bug Fix: na
Skill Level: Intermediate

Description

FTP (file transfer protocol) can be a very useful tool for fast and secure file transfer. Using it, the two computers are sending and receiving information directly, and with an absolute minimum of extraneous data. Usually, a person will use a program called an FTP “client,” which allows the most comprehensive FTP functionality; some common FTP clients are Anarchy and Fetch (Mac), and CuteFTP (PC).
However, should you be stuck without an FTP client, you may need to resort to using an Internet browsing application like Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. This can be a bit tricky the first few times, but in this document are a number of tips and hints which may come in handy when attempting this.

Detail

Firstly, an Internet browser is not designed for FTP, but rather for HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol); this is the method and language by which most common webpages get retrieved by your computer for display. However, many websites offer file downloads via FTP so most, if not all, browsers are capable of downloading files with this protocol. The complication often comes when attempting to upload files, as is commonly needed when using FTP.

Hint 1: Change protocols

Everyone who uses the Internet is familiar with http://etc. It is that leading http which provides your first clue for changing to ftp. Whereas a webpage address (URL) might be http://company.com, the FTP address might be ftp://company.com. By changing the protocol, you specify how the browser will connect with the site.

Hint 2: Know your host

Simply changing the protocol might not get you connected, because of the host name. Since everyone is familiar with the three "w"s before most website addresses, one might assume that is the same address for the FTP server; however, www.company.com might be a site on more than one computer, any one of which may or may not be the FTP server as well. Meanwhile, the FTP server could be on the other side of the globe from the web (www) server.

In other words, the ftp host is almost definitely NOT at www.company.com, although you may luck out and connect to a server that can figure out what you mean. The FTP server may be at ftp.company.com, or simply at company.com. You can also use IP addresses, such as 12.123.234.45. It is important to send the FTP request to the right computer, in order to be able to connect.

If your browser prompts you for a user name, password and 'account', you most likely will not require information in the account field (leave it blank). If you still cannot connect, contact the FTP server administrator for further assistance.

Hint 3: Don’t be anonymous

Since most FTP downloads are available for the public, the server is set up to allow anonymous access to certain files or folders. Your FTP needs, however, may be subject to a username and password — if you are accessing a non-public server or area of the server.

It is important to know that most browsers are, by default, set up to act as anonymous users: if the server sends a message to the browser that it needs a username and password, the browser will automatically reply with the username "anonymous" and password "anonymous" (the commonly accepted public access user/pass). This may either send you to a public folder, which is probably nested away from where you intend to access, or the server may simply refuse the connection.

Instead of being anonymous, you can force the browser to use a specific username by including it in the URL, such as ftp://username@company.com. This will typically cause the browser to prompt you for a password to go with the username and, assuming you enter this correctly, you will be able to connect.

The Browsers

Given the above information, all other factors for FTP connection will depend on the platform and browser you are using. In this document, three common browsers will be addressed — Internet Explorer version 5.5 for PC and version 5 for Mac, and Netscape Navigator version 4.7 for Mac. Other browsers will have some traits in common with different versions of themselves (for the same platform).

The following notes about each browser are meant to help troubleshoot using each for FTP connections. It is assumed that an active connection to the Internet is established for the computer you are attempting to use, and that no accessory programs, which assume control of FTP communication from the browser (such as Gozilla on the PC), have been installed.

Internet Explorer 5.5 (PC)

• This browser can display FTP connections as folders and icons, or as text only. This setting is found by choosing Tools > Internet Options, on the Advanced tab. There is an item called ‘Enable folder view for FTP sites’, which, when enabled, will display remote folders and files as icons. Otherwise, it uses the traditional row and column text appearance.
• When viewed as icons, you can change between large icon, small icon, list and detail views just as in a Windows Explorer: select the view from the View menu.
• Requesting a URL such as ftp://username@company.com will automatically attempt the login without a password. If the server denies the connection without a password, Internet Explorer prompts you for one.
• Navigate folders by double-clicking on them.
• Use the Back button to return to previous folders/pages.
• Double-clicking an Internet file type, such as HTML files or JPG/GIF images, opens those files in the browser (often in a new browser window, with your FTP view behind in the original window). Other file types are either downloaded or opened with another program when available.
• You can download a file by right-clicking on it and choosing Copy to Folder. You will be prompted for the location to download to.
• To upload a file, locate it on your computer in a Windows Explorer window, right-click on it and choose Copy from the menu that appears. Return to the FTP window, and choose Paste from the Edit menu.
• Closing the browser window will typically ‘log out’ the user; however, it is not uncommon to be able to return to the same URL without being asked for the username and password — until either the server closes the user connection or the browser cache is cleared (usually happens automatically).

Internet Explorer 5 (Mac)

• FTP sites are viewed as rows and columns of text links to list files and folders.
• Click a folder to open it.
• Use the Back button to return to a previous folder or click a folder item in the Path hierarchy of folders to jump to that folder.
• Empty folders are shown as errors (“File Not Found”).
• Clicking an Internet file type, such as HTML files or JPG/GIF images, opens those files in the browser. Other file types are, by default, queued in the Download Manager (Tools > Download Manager) for downloading.
• Uploading files is not supported by this browser.

Netscape Navigator 4.7 (Mac)

• FTP sites are viewed as rows and columns of text links, to list files and folders.
• Click on a folder name to open it. Click “Up to higher directory level” to change to the enclosing folder; use the browser’s Back button to return to a previously viewed folder.
  
• Clicking an Internet file type, such as HTML files or JPG/GIF images, opens those files in the browser — but in ftp mode (linked files, such as images placed in an HTML file, will not be loaded). Control-click on a file to get a contextual menu that has an option for saving the file to your computer.
• Drag and drop a file in the browser window to upload the file to the current folder. Alternately, choose Upload File from the File menu and locate the file you wish to upload.