How to start using WS_FTP Professional

Open WS_FTP Professional by clicking its icon on the Windows Start Menu or double clicking the icon on your desktop.

When connected to a server, WS_FTP displays the contents of your local computer on the left and the contents of the remote server on the right. WS_FTP provides powerful transfer management tools that are easily accessible and customizable.

To make a connection to a remote server and transfer a file:

1. Making the First Connection. When WS_FTP is first opened, the New Connection wizard helps you connect to an FTP, SSH, or HTTP/S server, providing instructions and examples on each screen. The wizard also saves the connection, similar to saving a favorite, so that you can easily re-connect later. (If the wizard is not displayed, select Connect in the toolbar).
2. Transferring a File. After you have connected to a server, you can transfer files in one of three ways:
   • Transfer Arrows. Select a file, then click the arrow that points away from the pane that file is in to transfer it.
   • Drag and Drop. Click on a file and hold the left mouse button while you drag the file to where you want to transfer it. Select multiple files by holding down the Ctrl key while selecting.
   • Copy and Paste. Right-click on a file and select Copy. Then, right-click where you want to transfer the file and select Paste.

Securing Your Transfer

WS_FTP can secure and protect your files while they are being transferred using SSL, SFTP/SSH, and OpenPGP. For detailed information on each of these, as well as other ways to secure your files, see the WS_FTP Security Guide http://www.ipswitch.com/ftp12secureen.

Using Tools

WS_FTP Professional comes equipped with several tools and utilities that allow you to:

• When a transfer has completed, use post transfer actions to delete, move, or rename the source files.
  
  
• Automate transfers to run unattended.
  
  
• Synchronize files and folders so that the most recent versions are maintained in multiple locations.
  
  
• Back up files to local and remote drives.
  
  
• Search for files and folders on multiple FTP servers with a remote site search tool.
  
  
• Integrate WS_FTP Professional into your Web browser, so that when you enter an FTP URL into the address bar of a browser or click on a link to an FTP server, WS_FTP Professional handles the transfer.
  
  
• Create HotDrops (shortcuts) to frequently used FTP servers.
  
  
• Use file integrity verification, with encryption for CRC32, MD5, SHA1, SHA256, and SHA512, to validate that transferred files have not been compromised.
  
  
• Use the skip unmodified files content comparison option to determine whether files should be updated between sites. Files are transferred only when they are not the same on the source and target sites.
  
  
• Customize the look-and-feel with new skins.

What is the difference between SSH and SSL?

With both SSL and SSH, it is up to the administrator of the server you are trying to make a connection with to tell you which server type is being run at that address. If you do not know, and attempt to make an SSL connection or an insecure connection to an SSH server, the connection will fail, even if you change the port to 22 in the Site Profile.

• SSL - Secure Sockets Layer generally uses port 21.
• SSH - Secure Shell generally uses port 22. (WS_FTP Professional)