Transferring Files Using FTP

By Wally Johnson
Created on 5/22/2002

Technical Note Summary:

This document was written to assist Media Specialists in connecting to COMPanion Corporation’s FTP site to transfer data.

FTP Client Software:

In order to connect to an FTP server, like the server hosted by COMPanion, you will need some kind of FTP client software. FTP clients allow you to view and manipulate files on an FTP server.

Some of the most popular FTP clients for Windows include: Cute FTP; FTP Explorer; Coffee Cup; WS FTP; FlashFXP; Bullet Proof; SmartFTP; and FTP Voyager. Most web browsers, including Internet Explore, Netscape Communicator and Opera have FTP capability. Any version of Internet Explorer prior to version 5.5 does not have an upload function. All versions of Windows, except for Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 have FTP capability built into the command prompt or DOS shell.

A few of the better-known FTP clients for Apple OS include: Fetch; Interarchy; NetFinder; and DropFTP. Most web browsers on the Apple OS have FTP capability. Internet Explorer for Apple OS does not have an upload function. Most of the above mentioned software can be downloaded for free from http://www.cnet.com or http://www.twocows.com.

Connecting to the COMPanion’s FTP Server:

The COMPanion FTP site is ftp://ftp.companioncorp.com or ftp://209.210.70.4. For security, the COMPanion FTP server is password protected. The User and Password can be obtained by contacting COMPanion Tech Support. You must enter that information into your client software in order to be able to access the server.

If you are using a browser to connect, you will need to incorporate the User ID and Password as part of the URL. Enter ftp://User ID:Password@ftp.companioncorp.com in the URL field of your browser. Again, to obtain the User ID and Password, contact COMPanion Technical Support. Once you have connected, you should see at least three folders: AlexandriaMaterials; CustomerPickup; and ForCOMPanion.

Alexandria resources such as installers and manuals can be found in the AlexandriaMaterials folder.

If you are sending us data, your folder should be in the ForCOMPanion folder.

Please compress all data you send us; files or folders that are stuffed or zipped are easier to transfer. You can download compression software from http://www.cnet.com or http://www.twocows.com. A few of the better-known compression programs for Windows include: WinZip; WinRAR; and Stuffit. The best compression utility for Apple OS is Aladdin’s Stuffit. A demonstration version can be downloaded from http://www.stuffit.com.

Data that has already been converted or corrected will be in the CustomerPickup folder.

NOTE: IF YOU ARE SENDING DATA TO BE CONVERTED OR EXAMINED, PLEASE CONTACT THE TECHNICIAN YOU ARE WORKING WITH AND LET HIM OR HER KNOW THAT THE DATA IS ON THE FTP SITE.

ONCE YOU HAVE DOWNLOADED YOUR DATA FROM THE FTP SITE, PLEASE CONTACT THE TECHNICIAN WHO PLACED IT THERE FOR YOU. THAT GUARANTTES WE REMOVE IT FROM THE SERVER, ASSURING THERE IS AMPLE ROOM WHEN OTHER CUSTOMERS UPLOAD THEIR DATA.

Problems and Troubleshooting:

Our FTP server communicates through port 21. Some firewalls and proxy servers block port 21. If you cannot reach our server, please contact your network administrator and have them open port 21.

NOTE: THE DEFAULT PORTS FOR FTP ARE 21 AND 85. HOWEVER, SOME SERVERS WILL CONNECT ON OTHER PORTS.

Our FTP server will occasionally reach the maximum number of allowed connections. Most client software will tell you that the maximum number of connections has been reached; however, some do not. If the FTP server is full, try back later.

A common problem with transferring files via FTP is the connection time out, or dropping, in the middle of the transfer. If your connection is dropped, rename your file and try again.

NOTE: IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT (800) 347-4942.

Copyright ©2005 COMPanion Corporation. All rights reserved.