How to access FTP servers without any software
FTP is used for transfer of large files. Bloggers and webmasters use FTP frequently for uploading files to their server space all the time. FTP transfers usually involve some software installed on the computer. The method usually involves connecting to a particular host server URl, and entering the username and password for access. FTP transfers may be primitive (they do not have much security), but they are still widely used.
Imagine yourselves in this situation : you are at a friend’s house or a browsing cafe, and need to access your server immediately (perhaps for uploading WP-Cache during a spike, for example). Do you wait until the download of FTP software is complete? That is a complete waste of time.
There is an easier way to access FTP servers - without any third-party software. All that you require is the humble Windows Explorer or Internet Explorer (either of them can be used). To access any FTP server, enter the following (replace server with the domain/subdomain):
ftp://ftp.server.com
Once you enter this, a dialog box will come up, and you can fill out the user name and password and click Log On.
If you’re still not convinved of using this method, try out FileZilla, a free, open-source software (review of FileZilla)
Tell us whether you liked this method, or use an FTP client (and why).
By fazeetha on Mar 1, 2008 | Reply
Thanks sumesh for your valuable suggestion. i will definitely keep in mind. I will see how it goes and then decide.
thanks again,fazee…
By ed wiget on Mar 7, 2008 | Reply
if you dont want the pop up box, you can also use ftp://username:password@ftp.server.com <<– dont forget about IE history though cause your username and password will be in the clear.
By ed wiget on Mar 7, 2008 | Reply
dude, your web pages are taking like 40+ seconds to load. Did you change hosts? My traceroute don’t show any stalls between me and your server.
By Sumesh on Mar 8, 2008 | Reply
@Ed Wiget: That has security reasons too - you’re transmitting the details without security. And of course, IE history.
By Sumesh on Mar 8, 2008 | Reply
@ed wiget: I too notice the slow down. I didn’t change hosts - but I was thinking of doing so. I guess this quickens it :D
By Niyaz PK on Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
The problem is that it is very slow. Filezilla is faster. Much faster.
By Sumesh on Mar 13, 2008 | Reply
@Niyaz: It is not as slow as it seems. Explorer hangs for a couple of seconds, whereas in FileZilla, you would wait for the status updates on the top pane. It is just that Explorer method seems to be slower.
By Niyaz PK on Mar 13, 2008 | Reply
Hmm.. may be.
By Arun on Apr 17, 2008 | Reply
Yeah that’s a simple way to access ftp servers. We use it all the time in our university to access our varsity’s server. Another primitive way is to use ftp from command line ,