SSH Secure FTP

SSH Secure FTP

Setting up & using Secure FTP

Secure FTP is the program used to transfer files between your computer and a secure server. Specifically, it allows you to:

  • Make connections with the servers in Seattle, such as Homer or Dante.
  • Send and receive attachments for Pine
  • Update web pages that are found at www.washington.edu.
  • Connect to Mercury when from off-campus.

Secure FTP became the standard file transfer software after Seattle Computing and Communications implemented more secure services on their network. If you've used other FTP programs to send and receive files, you might find that Secure FTP is quite similar. When you first use the program, you'll notice two options: you can connect to a server right away using Quick Connect, or you can set up a profile for any server you commonly use.

Quick Connect

Please note that with Quick Connect, you will have to enter the server name every time!

  • Click on the Quick Connect button.
  • Enter the Host Name of the server. This is the actual address of the FTP server. See below for some of the UW host names.
  • Enter your User Name – chances are this is your UW NetID if you are connecting to a server in Seattle, or your Bothell account if you are connecting to a server here.
  • The Port Number is like a "channel" that your computer and the server agree to connect through. In most cases, you can leave this at 22, which is the default FTP port.
  • The Authentication Method is how the server determines that you are who you say you are. In most cases, this should be left as password.
  • Click on Connect.
  • A new window will pop up asking for your password.
  • Enter your password and hit enter or click OK.

Create a Profile

  • Click on the Profiles button.
  • Choose Add Profile… to add a new profile.
  • Enter a name for your profile. This is how the profile will look to you, so make sure you know what server it represents.
  • Click on Add Current Connection to Profiles.
  • Click on the Profiles button (again).
  • In the list, you should now see the profile you just added. Right now it is blank, so we'll have to modify the information…
  • Click on Edit Profiles…
  • Enter the Host Name of the server. This is the actual address of the FTP server. See below for some of the UW host names.
  • Enter your User Name – chances are this is your UW NetID if you are connecting to a server in Seattle, or your Bothell account if you are connecting to a server here.
  • The Port Number is like a "channel" that your computer and the server agree to connect through. In most cases, you can leave this at 22, which is the default FTP port.
  • Click OK. Now your profile is ready to use!

Connect with a Profile

  • Click on the Profiles button.
  • Choose your profile from the list.
  • A new window will pop up asking for your password.
  • Enter your password and hit enter or click OK.

Secure FTP interface

Once you've connected to a server, you will get a listing of all the files in your directory. When connecting to Mercury (or Hermes) you start in the "/HOME" directory, and will have to navigate to your departmental share. Secure FTP offers different ways to view and transfer files. The two main functions during any FTP session are going to be downloading and uploading files.

View options

To change how icons appear, click on the View menu or the corresponding buttons on the toolbar.

Large Icons – File icons appear larger with the name below the icon.
Small Icons – File icons are smaller and arranged in columns.
List – File icons are smaller, but are listed in a single column.
Detailed – File icons listed in a single column with more detail (see above).

Transfer types

To change the transfer type, click on the corresponding button on the toolbar. Secure FTP offers the standard transfer types: ASCII (text) or binary. Most users should leave this on Auto!

Navigating

The interface in the Secure FTP program is split between the left side (which displays the files on your local computer) and the right side (which displays files on the server). In both file systems you may wish to navigate to a different folder. The toolbar found directly above the file listings will assist in these endeavors:

We'll call this the Directory Path Bar. This always displays the full path of your current working directory (the folder you are currently in). The quickest way to jump to a directory is to type it out here and hit enter on your keyboard.
Clicking on the Show/Hide Folders button will show a directory structure, making it easy to switch to a particular folder by clicking.
The Home button will put you back in the default home directory (which is set on the server by default but can be changed in profile settings).
The Up button will put you up one directory – for example, if you are working in /IS/PGarrett, pressing Up will move you to /IS.
The Refresh button refreshes the contents of the working directory, which is helpful when you've just uploaded/downloaded a file.
The New button creates a new folder in the current working directory, which you can then name.
The Delete button deletes the selected files/folders – you will be prompted before it actually deletes anything.
The Add button adds the current directory path to the list of "favorites," which show up when you click the down arrow on the Directory Path Bar.

Downloading files

You have several options in Secure FTP when you want to download a file.

  • Click once on a file to select it.
  • Click on the download button, which is an arrow pointing downward,
    • OR click on the Operation menu and choose Download,
    • OR right click the file and choose Download,
    • OR press CTRL + D on your keyboard.
  • A new window will pop up asking for your password.
  • Now browse to the folder on your computer that you want to save the file in, and press Download.

Use the same procedure for downloading multiple files. Try holding down the CTRL key on your keyboard while selecting files with your mouse; you should find that you are able to select any number of files at the same time.

Uploading files

  • Starting an upload is relatively similar to downloading.
  • Click on the upload button, which is an arrow pointing upward,
    • OR click on the Operation menu and choose Upload.
  • Now locate the file on your computer, select it, and press Upload (or double-click on it).

Use the same procedure for uploading multiple files. Try holding down the CTRL key on your keyboard while selecting files with your mouse; you should find that you are able to select any number of files at the same time.

Drag & drop

Perhaps the easiest way to download/upload files is to "drag and drop." This is the same as dragging files from a disk to your computer. Do so by first making sure Secure FTP and the designated folder on your computer are both visible, like so:

Click on the file, hold the mouse button down, and move it over.

UW host names

Mercury – mercury.bothell.washington.edu
Homer – homer.u.washington.edu
Dante – dante.u.washington.edu
Mead – mead.u.washington.edu
Goodall – goodall.u.washington.edu
Aagaard – aagaard.u.washington.edu