Site Map

Site Map Window

The Site Map is displayed by default, when you first run ALFTP, when you click the "Site Map" button on the toolbar, Site Map in the File menu, or press F4.
Click on the screen shot below to display information on that part.
FTP Site Map

Choose Site

The Site Map explorer contains folders and sites of saved information on many different preset FTP sites as well as user-defined FTP sites. Click on an FTP site to select it for editing or to connect to it.
FTP Site Map site browser to choose sites, edit, add, delete

Site Information

This panel contains the various details about the site. Simply enter or modify information and click OK to save the changes and connect to the site or Cancel to save the changes and exit the Site Map. (All changes are 'saved' as you make them.)
Click on the screen shot below for more information on that part.
FTP Site Info panel

Site Name

Enter a name or description for the FTP site here. This does not need to be the address.
FTP Site name is a description, not the address

FTP address

Enter the complete FTP address or IP address here.
You do not need to add the "ftp://" portion of the address. If you do not know a site's proper ftp address, contact the site adminstrator for it.
FTP address without protocol prefix

User ID

Enter the user ID you have been given for the FTP site.
This is used for sites that do not allow anonymous access. When connecting anonymously, use the default "anonymous" and if that does not work, try "guest".
FTP user ID assigned by sys admin

Password

Enter the password you were given by the site administrator. Choose 'Save Password' to avoid entering everytime you want to connect.
FTP password
[Caution] Unlike ALPass, the encryption used for password in ALFTP is not strong. It is more than sufficient to protect passwords from casual users, but a determined and skilled individual could crack passwords from ALFTP. This should not pose a serious problem for users who practise even basic security measures.

Default Remote Directory

When this field is filled in, ALFTP will automatically go to that directory everytime you login to that FTP site. You must enter the complete path from the home directory. e.g. /home/folder1/subfolder1-1
If you are already connected to an FTP server and in the directory you wish to use as your default directory when you connect, press Ctrl + S to set and save it.
Open this remote directory after connecting to an FTP server

Download Directory

To set a consistent download directory for a specific FTP site, click the browse folder icon, browse to a folder and click OK. When you next open the FTP site, your client explorer will automatically navigate to the FTP stie. e.g. C:\My Music.
Open this local directory after connecting to an FTP server
This is particularly useful for easily keeping track of different web sites that you administer.

Advanced

Although usually unnecessary, you can set several additional options here.
Port, timeout, and passive mode settings

Port : Change default port number to connect to. (Default is 21)

Timeout : This is the time in seconds to try to connect to an FTP server.

Passive Mode : Check this option if you are behind a firewall or experience other connection problems.

Port help for novices: IP addresses (123.231.213.123) are to building addresses (e.g. 123 Sesame Street) as port numbers (e.g. 21) are to entrances (e.g. front door, back door, side door, cellar door, loading docks, garage door). The IP address tells you "where to go" and the port number tells you "which entrance to use". 21 is the default port number for FTP, but you can run your FTP server on a different port. Novices should either use 21(strongly recommended) or a port number above 10,000 and below 65,535.

Passive Mode help for novices: The FTP protocol uses 2 ports, a command port and a data port. So, with our building analogy, the command port is to a reception desk as the data port is to a loading dock. Orders and administrative tasks happen at the reception desk (command port), while actual loading and unloading (uploading and downloading) of goods (files) happens at the loading docks (data port).

Passive Mode is then similar to when a visitor (FTP client) tells the building owner (FTP server) which entrance (port) he is going to use to load and unload (upload and download) goods (files).

In other words, with Passive Mode, the FTP client tells the FTP server which port number data will be transferred across. Otherwise, in "active mode", the FTP server tells the client which port number data will be transferred across. If something isn't working... this is likely your problem. Make sure it is checked.

FTP Group and Site Editing

You can create FTP sites and groups to organize them.
Add groups, sites, or delete them

Add Group

Click Add Group to create new folder in the Site Map explorer for organizing FTP sites. Enter the name of the FTP group and click OK.
Add FTP Group

Enter a Group name
Groups are useful to create categories to organize different kinds of sites.

Add Site

Click Add Site to create a new site in the Site Map explorer.

Enter an FTP site name

Delete

Select an FTP site or FTP group and click Delete to permanently erase it.
Delete FTP Group or Site

Related Topics

[ Table of Contents ] - [ Index ] - [ Introduction to ALFTP ] Interface, Preferences, Connect with Site Map, Quick Connect