Jeff Weiner's FTP Basics Vol.1 #1
(Please send comments or suggestions to boydm@atari.archive.umich.edu)
Jeff Weiner's FTP Basics Vol.1 #1
Part 1: Logging in
To begin an ftp session, the first thing you need to do is log in to our machine. You can do this by issuing the 'ftp atari.archive.umich.edu' command. You should then see something like this:
Connected to atari.archive.umich.edu.
220 atari.archive.umich.edu FTP server (Version 4.169 Wed Jan 2 17:03:56 EST 1991) ready.
Name (yourhost.domain.edu:yourusername):
At this prompt you'll want to type 'anonymous'. On some hosts, the word 'guest' will work, but 'anonymous' is always a sure bet.
If you don't see this login prompt, but instead get something like 'Our host was unable to trace a name back to (some internet address). We only accept ftp from properly registered hosts', then you'll have to ask your sys-admin to properly register your machine in its name servers. There's nothing we can do on this end, so please don't bother asking. Also, if your machine doesn't allow you to specify the atari.archive name, try using out internet address : 141.211.164.8 Then, march down to your sys-admins office and ask him to install name-service. Your life will become much easier.
Assuming you recieved the above prompt, you'll then be asked for a password. Use your mail address. For example, I would use 'weiner@atari.archive.umich.edu'
Part 2: Basic Commands
Once you're logged on, there's a few basic commands you'll want to know about.
ls : lists the names of files of sub-directories in a directory.
ls -C : Lists the files horizontally, instead of vertically.
ls -F : Lists filenames, but adds a / to the end of directory names.
dir : does the same thing as ls, but is needed on some other machines
ls -l : A verbose listing of files. Includes permissions, filesize, etc.
cd : changes directories (i.e. 'cd atari' would put you in the atari area)
cd .. : Goes 'back up' a directory, to the one you came from.This from redmond@IUS4.IUS.CS.CMU.EDU:
For more than one argument to ls, use double quotes. Eg. ls "-FC *.lzh"
These are about all you need to get moving around the archive.
Part 3: Getting the Goddies
The main reason you want to ftp in the first place is to quickly transfer files. More often than not, you'll want to transfer the files from the archive to your account. You can do this using the following commands:
First, find the file you want to download.
Second, issue the command 'type binary'. This tells our machine that you'll be transferring a binary file. This is really important. You'll waste a LOT of time if you download files that were not transferred in binary mode.
Third, issue the command 'get <filename.ext>'. This will instruct the archive host to send <filename.ext> to your account.
The last thing you'll want to do is use the 'quit' command. This tells our machine you're no longer interested in ftping files, and would like to go back to your command prompt.
Now, you'll need to download your files from your mainframe(sparc, whatever) to your ST. Usually you'll want to use either kermit or x- or y- or z-modem protocols. They're very reliable. I'd be quite hesitant to try something else. Also, your machine and ST are usually unique to you. This means that I really can't help you with this part. You could try asking, but I'm going to promise anything.
Part 4: A Few Words on Net Ettiquette
Net Ettiquette is something that every net user should be aware of. Relating to ftp, and our archive, it is essentially this:
- Try to keep ftp usage to an absolute minimum during business hours, in our time zone. That would be 9 am to 5 pm , EST. This roughly means upload or download one file or so and little else during these hours. After 5pm, have a blast. Go nuts. We probably won't mind nearly as much..... Otherwise, we will drive to your campus or place of work (even if you live in Europe) and we'll kick your butt. Or, Jon will sing Prince songs to you. Whichever you'd like the least.
- If you have a question about some aspect of ftp service or some other area of your computer, please ask around at your site first. Don't immediately fire off all of your questions to us. I don't mind answering questions about the archive, problems with logging in, or something similar. But I tend to get upset when people ask me questions like, "Jeff, how come I can't get the fgrep command to work properly on my sparc station...."
- Please try to upload files that you know the archive doesn't have. I know it's not the greatest thing to do, but if you can find time to download stuff, I think you can find time to return the favor and upload things also.
If you have any reasonable questions, any comments or concerns, etc. please mail them to me, weiner@atari.archive.umich.edu.
Thanks,
weiner
