Copyright: Copyright 1997 Ipswitch, Inc.


FTP Client Help Index
Table of Contents

What is WS_FTP Pro?

New in Version 5

Installation

Uninstalling

The WS_FTP Pro Window

Connecting to Remote Hosts: 32-bit version, 16-bit version

Transferring files

Moving files

 Working with directories

Changing the drive

Changing directories

Creating and removing directories

Refreshing the directory display

Displaying directory and file information

Sorting directories and files

 Working with files

Finding files and directories

Viewing files

Executing files

Editing files

Renaming files

Deleting files

Changing permissions on a UNIX file

Associations Options

Converting File Extensions

General Options

E-mail address

Enabling logging

Naming the log file

Verifying deletions

Specifying a text viewer

Saving window locations

Resetting window locations (32-bit version only)

Editing remote files using ShellExecute (32-bit version only)

Advanced Options

Show Full Directory Information

Auto Save Host Configurations

Show Connect Dialog on Startup

Double Click Action

Network Buffer Receive Size

Network Buffer Transmission Size

Transfer Rate Display

 Display Options

Alternate Screen Layout

Show Buttons at Top of Screen

Hide Directory Buttons

Auto Scale Fonts

Display four-digit years

List Box Font

Session Options

Host Type

Update Directories After Transfer

Show Transfer Progress Dialog

Use Passive Transfer Mode

Sorted List Boxes (16-bit version only)

Use Firewall

Force Lowercase Remote Names

Convert Extensions check box

Remember Directories (32-bit version only)

Set as Default

Save Current Directories as Connection Directories (32-bit version only)

File Names:

Send Unique

Receive Unique

Prompt for Destination File Names

Transfer modes

Startup

Setting ASCII Extensions

View links (16-bit version only)

Working with UNIX hosts

Viewing files in date sequence (32-bit version)

Viewing hidden files

Changing permissions

Viewing links (16-bit version only)

Sounds

Pro Options: 32-bit version, 16-bit version

Problems

Hints

Directory Display Problems

Troubleshooting

Using WS_FTP Pro from the Command Line

Downloading Patches and New Versions

WS_FTP Pro Development Kit

Copyright © 1992-1998 Ipswitch, Inc.


Main Window
WS_FTP Pro Window

When you have established a connection between the local PC and a remote system, the WS_FTP Pro main window displays the directories and files for the PC in the Local System list box (on the left) and the directories and files for the remote system in the Remote System list box (on the right).

Note: In the 16-bit version of WS_FTP Pro, each column contains two list boxes: the top list box shows the available directories; the bottom list box shows the files in the currently selected directory.

The current directory is shown at the top of each column. The list box below the current directory shows all of the directories and files within the current directory. Icons are used to identify directories and files. Any disk drives that you can access also appear in the list.

The buttons to the right of each column provide file and directory operations for that column. These are shown below, from top to bottom.

ChgDir

MkDir

RmDir (16-bit version only; in 32-bit version, use Delete)

File Mask

View

Exec

Rename

Delete

Refresh

DirInfo

Note: The above commands, as well as some additional commands are available from the right-mouse menu. Select a file or directory and use the right-mouse menu.

Directory options ("classic" user interface)

To change directories in the classic user interface, you can edit the directory pathname in the current directory box, or you can use the ChgDir button. Also, if you enable Remember directories in the Session options, the drop-down list for both the local and remote current directories will show the directories you visited during the last session.

Sort options (16-bit version)

You can use the column headings (Name, Date, Size) above the local and remote system's list boxes to sort the directories and files shown in the list box. See Sorting Directories and Files.

Additional Items Available from Pop-up Menu

Sort (32-bit version only)

Edit File (only in 32-bit version, remote system list box)

Move Files (Directory)

chmod (UNIX)

Message Log

Below the list boxes, there is a message area that logs all queries from the WS_FTP Pro client and all responses from the FTP server on the remote system. You can double click in this area to expand the listing. You can also click the LogWnd button to display the messages in a window.


chmod (popup menu)
chmod

The chmod (UNIX) command appears only when one or more files or directories are selected in the Remote System list box. When you select chmod, you see a dialog box where you can specify the most common UNIX file attributes.

Note: You must have write permission on the remote system and the system must support the "SITE chmod" command. This is normally valid only on UNIX-based systems. The checked items do not reflect the current permissions of the file.


Move (popup menu)
Move

The Move files command appears only when one or more files or directories are selected. When you select Move files, WS_FTP Pro prompts you for a destination directory name (the directory must be on the same system).

Note: To move files on the remote system, you must have write privileges on the remote system and the system must support the movement of files. Most systems will allow you to move a file over the top of an existing file without warning you!


Edit (popup menu)
Edit

The Edit file command allows you to edit a remote file locally. It appears only in the 32-bit version of WS_FTP Pro when a file is selected. When you select Edit file, WS_FTP Pro transfers the file to the local system and opens the appropriate application. When you close that application, WS_FTP Pro transfers the file back to the remote system.

Note that your remote session may timeout if you take an excessive amount of time to edit the file, normally more than four minutes. In the event of a timeout, the file is not updated on the remote system and your edits may be lost. You can go back to the WS_FTP Pro window and refresh the directory listing every couple of minutes to keep the session alive.

Files on the local system can be directly edited via the View or Execute buttons.


Sort (popup menu)
Sort

The Sort... command appears only in the 32-bit version of WS_FTP Pro. It allows you to change the sort order of the files displayed in the selected list box. File names can be sorted by name, extension, date, or size. Sort order can also be reversed. The Show Full Directory Information option on the Advanced tab of the Program Options must be enabled for sort to work properly.

Note that information necessary to build a standard list is not available for all host types. If your host type does not sort properly send a description and the DirInfo window contents to support@ipswitch.com.


ChgDir (button or popup menu)
ChgDir (Change Directory)

The ChgDir button allows you to change the current directory from the one displayed in the text box under either Local System or Remote System to another directory on the system. This command works only on systems that implement the concept of directories.

If you select a directory name in the directory list box and choose this command, WS_FTP Pro changes the current directory to the one selected.

If no name is highlighted, you will be prompted for the directory to change to. When prompted for a directory, you can also enter a drive letter followed by a colon (for example, d:) to change to a different disk drive.


MkDir (button or popup menu)
MkDir (Make Directory)

The MkDir button allows you to create a directory if possible. (Not all FTP servers allow you to create directories; you must have an account on the server and "create" privileges.)

When you select this command, you are prompted for a directory name that is valid for the current system.


RmDir (button or popup menu)
RmDir (Remove Directory)

The RmDir button allows you to remove a directory if possible. (Not all FTP servers allow you to make and delete directories remotely; you must have an account on the server and "delete" privileges.)

When you select this command, you are prompted for a directory name.


File Mask (main screen)
File Mask Text Box

The File Mask text box is located just below the MkDir button. It allows you to limit the files displayed in the lists for either the local or remote system; this is handy if the system contains a large number of directories and files.

In the File Mask text box, enter a filter that is valid for the system, and then press Return. For example, to display only files with the extension .txt, enter *.txt in the File Mask text box and press Return. The corresponding list box is refreshed to display only the files with the extension .txt.

If you are connected to a UNIX host, you can use:

•	"-al" or "-la" in the File Mask text box on the Remote System side of the window to view hidden (.) files

•	"-altr" in the Remote System side of the window to view file names in date sequence (in the 32-bit versions of WS_FTP Pro only)

•	Any argument string you would use with a "Dir" command in a command line FTP client.


View (button or popup menu)
View

The View button allows you to view a file in ASCII format by whatever viewer you have defined on the General tab of Program Options (in the 32-bit version of WS_FTP Pro) or in the General properties (16-bit version).

When you view a file on the remote system, it is transferred according to the transfer mode settings in the FTP Pro main window to the Windows temporary directory and opened in the viewer.


Execute (button or popup menu)
Execute

The Exec button allows you to execute, or open, a file.

•	If you select a local filename and then click Exec, the file is executed using the same rules as if it were executed in Windows.

•	If you select a remote filename and then click Exec, the file is transferred in the selected file transfer mode to the Windows temporary directory and is executed using the same rules as if executed in the File Manager.

If the filename has an extension other than .exe, .com, .bat or .pif, then the Windows file associations are used. If the extension has no association, you are allowed to specify the association at run time. This association is saved in the WIN.INI file in the Extensions section and is also valid for Windows.

You can set associations by clicking the Options button and then selecting File Associations.


Rename (button or popup menu)
Rename

The Rename button allows you to rename a file or directory, if possible. Not all FTP servers allow you to rename files and directories; you must have an account on the server as well as renaming privileges.

To rename a file or directory:

1	Select the file or directory.

2	Click the Rename button.

3	Enter the new name for the file or directory.

4	Click OK.

Note: Some systems allow you to rename a file over the top of an existing file.


Delete (button or popup menu)
Delete

The Delete button allows you to delete a file on the remote system, if (a) deletions are allowed on the server, and (b) you have an account on the server as well as "delete" privileges.

To delete a file:

1	Select the file.

2	Click the Delete button.

3	Click Yes to delete the file.

Note: In the 16-bit version of WS_FTP Pro, you can also use Delete to delete a directory.


Refresh

The Refresh button allows you to refresh the directory and file list box to display any recent changes to the current directory.


DirInfo

The DirInfo button opens a window that displays the directories and files in the current directory, as well as the file sizes, and dates and times last edited.


Sorting dirs and files
Sorting directories and files

You can sort the directories and files shown in the Local System or Remote System list boxes by using the column headings (Name, Date, Size) above each list or the Sort command on the right-mouse menu.

Using column headings to sort (32-bit version):

Click a column heading to sort the directories and files as follows:

•	Name. Click the column heading, Name, to toggle the alphabetical list between ascending and descending order. Click Ctrl+Name to sort the file names by file extension.

•	Date. Click the column heading, Date, to toggle the alphabetical list between ascending and descending order.

•	Size. Click the column heading, Size, to toggle the alphabetical listings between ascending and descending order.

•	^ Click the button to the left of the column heading, Name, to toggle the listing of directories from on bottom (after all files), on top (before all files), or mixed with files.

Sorted list boxes option (16-bit version):

If this option is turned on, the remote file list box is automatically sorted alphabetically. Otherwise the files are presented in the order the remote host transmits them.

1	Click the Options button.

2	Click the Session tab.

3	Make sure Sorted list boxes is checked.

Using the pop-up menu to sort (all versions):

1	Place the cursor over either list box.

2	Select Sort from the right-mouse menu. The Sort dialog box appears.

3	Select Sort options and click OK.


Exec/view operation
Transfer Mode Settings

When you view, execute, or edit a file on the remote system, WS_FTP Pro transfers the file to the Windows temporary directory on your local system, then opens the file in the associated application. The file is transferred as follows, depending on the transfer mode settings in the WS_FTP Pro main window.

Auto mode on. WS_FTP Pro checks to see if the file extension is registered (in the Extensions properties). If the extension is registered, the file is transferred in ASCII format. If it is not registered or no file extension is found, the file is transferred in binary format.

Auto mode off. Transfers the file in either binary or ASCII mode, depending on which is selected.

If ASCII mode is selected and the file is clearly not in ASCII format, WS_FTP Pro prompts for confirmation that you want to transfer the file in ASCII format. This provides a verification step to ensure that you do not transfer a binary file in ASCII format, which could damage the file.


Description
What is WS_FTP Pro?

WS_FTP Pro is a Windows-based application for transferring files between your PC (the local system) and a remote system. Using WS_FTP Pro, you can connect to another system from your PC, browse directories and files on both systems, and transfer files between the systems. WS_FTP Pro comes with a number of preconfigured profiles for some of the popular FTP sites.

WS_FTP Pro provides ease of use for the beginner plus a full set of functions for the power user. See WS_FTP Pro features for some of the features available.

WS_FTP Pro is a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client application that complies with the Windows sockets standard (Winsock). WS_FTP Pro can connect to any system that has a valid Internet Address and contains an FTP server program, allowing you to transfer files between a wide variety of systems, including Windows, OS\2, and UNIX systems.

In addition to the Pro version, there is also a Limited Edition. The Pro version of WS_FTP offers additional functionality and additional applications for a low cost.

See WS_FTP Versions for more information. Some of the functions described in this help file are available only in WS_FTP Pro and are identified as such.

For more information on FTP and FTP sites, please refer to the network newsgroups or one of the recent books on the Internet.


new in version
New in Version 5

•	Improved firewall support

•	Improved host types support

•	Ability to associate file extensions of more than three characters

The following capabilities were new in the previous version:

•	Support for custom applications developed using the WS_FTP Pro Development Kit.

•	You can disable the Save Password function in the Session dialog box by entering the line SPFLAGS=1 in one of the following:

the [config] section of the WS_FTP.INI file in the WS_FTP directory

the [WS_FTP] section of the WIN.INI file in the Windows directory

•	New Uninstall option for cleanly removing the WS_FTP Pro application from a system

•	Can now change directories by entering a directory pathname directly in the Local or Remote directory boxes.

•	Can remember the directories you visit during a session (on both the local and remote systems) and saves the directory paths in the drop-down list for the Local and Remote directory boxes.

•	The new Append file command lets you transfer a file or files and have them appended to a selected file on the other system.

•	Provides Year 2000 support through Dec 31, 2037.

•	The 16-bit version of WS_FTP Pro now has sorting capabilities for the list of directories and files.

•	The View, Execute, and Edit commands now honor the Extensions settings if Auto transfer mode is enabled. (32-bit version only)

•	Support for new firewall types.


devkit
WS_FTP Pro Development Kit

The WS_FTP Pro Development Kit lets you create programs to work with WS_FTP Pro for transferring files to or from remote systems or between remote systems. For example, you can use the Development Kit to create an application that automates your regular downloads or uploads from an authoring system or a database system. The Development Kit provides the basic functionality to develop custom applications that use the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and frees the developer from the intricacies of network programming.

The WS_FTP Pro Development Kit lets you use your choice of languages including C++, C, and Visual Basic. Developers can create stand-alone FTP applications or add network file transfer functionality to existing applications. Users can have specialized interfaces to FTP services that are simple to understand and use.

The WS_FTP Pro Development Kit provides:

•	Support of passive and normal file transfers

•	WS_FTP Pro host type auto detection

•	Asynchronous and threaded versions of standard routines

•	Ability to use any FTP command

•	Programmer's guide with sample code

Some suggested applications:

•	Posting frequent updates to Internet or intranet servers

•	Automatic download of documents or programs

•	Regular updates of distributed databases

•	Automated mirroring of multiple servers

For more information about the WS_FTP Pro Development Kit, see the Ipswitch web site at: http://www.ipswitch.com.


versions
WS_FTP Versions

WS_FTP is available as both WS_FTP Pro and WS_FTP Limited Edition.

The WS_FTP Pro executable files are FTP95PRO.exe (for 32-bit operating systems of Windows 95, Windows NT, and Alpha processors) and FTPPRO.exe (designed for 16-bit environments but will work in any environment).

The WS_FTP Limited Edition works in both 16-bit and 32-bit environments. The executable names of the Limited Edition configurations are WS_FTP.exe for 16-bit environments, and WS_FTP95.exe for 32-bit environments. WS_FTP Features describes most of the differences between the Limited Edition and Pro configurations.


features
WS_FTP Features

You can use any version of WS_FTP (including the Limited Edition) to:

•	Create a connection between a local system and a remote system

•	Create and retain session profiles to automate the logon and connection to frequently used remote systems

•	Display and browse directories and files on both the local and remote systems

•	Transfer one or more files between the local and remote systems (in either direction) using Windows point-and-click capabilities

•	Access the vast store of information on anonymous FTP sites

In addition to the above features, the 32-bit version also lets you:

•	Resume interrupted file transfers.

•	Drag-and-drop between a local and remote system.

•	Perform multiple file transfers using WS_FTP Pro commands from a DOS prompt.

•	Preserve file date/time on transfer (Windows 95 and NT).

•	Prevent overwrite of newer files (Windows 95 and NT).

•	Use the WS_FTP Pro Development Kit (available separately) to write custom file transfer applications to automate regular uploads or downloads. See the Ipswitch web site at http://www.ipswitch.com for more information.


FTP Server

FTP is a client/server based protocol, whereby a client program on one system (the local system) sends requests to a server program on another system (the remote system) and receives replies from the server.


internet address, def
Internet address

An Internet address or IP address is a unique identifier that defines a system's location on the Internet network. IP addresses are 32-bit addresses that are commonly specified in Internet dot notation, which consists of four numbers from 1 to 255 separated by dots (.), for example: 156.21.50.1

Each IP address is mapped to a unique hostname as it is easier for people to remember names than it is to remember strings of numbers. For example, the IP address 156.21.50.1 maps to the system named superserv.ipswitch.com.


local, remote  def.
Local System vs. Remote System

In networking terms, your PC is known as the "local system." A "remote system" is any other computer that you connect to via a modem and telephone lines, or via a local-area network.


Connecting
Connecting to Remote Hosts (FTP Servers)

WS_FTP Pro allows you to store basic information about an FTP server (or remote host) and how you want to interact with it. This basic information is stored in a "session profile."

To connect to an FTP server, once the session profile is set up:

1	Click the Connect button.

2	Choose the appropriate session profile from the drop-down list.

3	Click the OK button.

Session Profile Information

Profile Name

Host Name

Host Type

User ID

Password

Account

Anonymous Login

Save Password

Auto Save Config

Initial Directories

Comment

Advanced...


CONNECT - General Parameters
Session Profile, General Properties

WS_FTP Pro allows you to store basic information about an FTP server (or remote host) and how you want to interact with it. This basic information is stored in a "session profile."

To create a session profile,

1	Click the Connect button.

2	Click the New button.

3	Enter the appropriate information as described below, then click Apply and OK.

Profile Name. This is the name of the session profile (the collection of information about the site), and can be anything you desire to identify the connection you are creating. The length of this name is restricted as it is used as a section name in the WS_FTP.INI file. Click the Profile Name list box to show the choices. This name can (and should) be different than the Host Name/Address!

Host Name/Address. This is either a fully qualified Internet host name or an IP address.

Host Type. If you know the host type, select it from the drop down list. If you don't know, try "auto detect". If you can connect to a remote host but don't get a directory listing, try changing the host type on the Session tab of Program Options to "Automatic detect," which takes care of about 90% of all hosts.

Note: If you still don't get a directory listing, check the messages log (click the LogWnd button) to see if the Host Type is identified there. Then, select the corresponding host type from the drop-down list.

User ID. Enter the User ID you want to use for this profile. (Or, you can click the Anonymous Login check box to automatically enter anonymous as the user.)

Anonymous check box. Checking this box will automatically enter anonymous as your User ID and enter your e-mail address as the Password.

Password. Enter the password that you want to use for the User ID that you entered. If this is an anonymous login, enter your full electronic mail address. You can place a minus (-) sign in front of the e-mail address to reduce the number of site administrator messages you receive.

Note: Instead of entering your password for anonymous logins, it is recommended that you simply click the Anonymous Login check box.

Save Pwd. Check this box only if you are the only user of your computer and no one else has access to your WS_FTP directory. Passwords are stored in the WS_FTP.INI file in an encrypted form.

Note: This check box can be removed from the options by entering the line SPFLAGS=1 in one of the following:

the [config] section of the WS_FTP.INI file in the WS_FTP directory

the [WS_FTP] section of the WIN.INI file in the Windows directory

Account. If the remote host requires an account, enter the account you want to use for the User ID you entered. (In most cases, this field will be left blank because most hosts do not use an "account" for authentication.) Note that the account is used for VM/CMS hosts for the initial password to the user's default directory. When you change directories (ChgDir) on a VM/CMS host you are prompted each time for the password to connect to that directory.

Comment. Enter any comments you want to include with this session profile.

For advanced session profile settings, see also:

Startup properties

Advanced properties

Firewall properties


CONNECT - Startup Parameters
Session Profile, Startup Properties

Initial Remote Host Directory. Enter the initial remote start directory for interactive sessions.

Initial Local Directory. Enter the initial local start directory for interactive sessions.

Initialize Command. Enter any commands that need to be issued to the remote host at the beginning of the session. For example, the command SITE UMASK 022 changes the UMASK used when creating files (on a UNIX system). Separate multiple commands with a semi-colon (;).

Local file mask. Enter the initial startup arguments for listing files on the local system. For example, *.zip will show all .zip files in the startup directory. If blank, this defaults to *.* to show all files and directories.

Remote file mask. Enter the initial startup arguments for the remote LIST command. This could be "-al" to display all files on a UNIX system or something like "*.zip".

Time offset in hours (32-bit version only). Enter a number of hours to add to the remote file date and times to convert to the local date and time. There is no standard for specification of date/time, but often it is displayed in GMT. Use a positive number to add, or a negative number to subtract.


CONNECT - Advanced Parameters
Session Profile, Advanced Properties

Connection Retry. Number of times to retry establishing a connection if the first connection attempt fails. This can be from 0 to 40 times.

Network Timeout. This is the number of seconds before WS_FTP Pro times out waiting for a host response to a command. Note that the initial connection Timeout is determined by your Winsock DLL. Setting this value higher does not have any effect on the initial connection to the host. Setting to less than the amount of time than your Winsock DLL uses will cause the connection to fail in that amount of seconds. Values may be from 5 to 120.

Remote Port. This is the port to connect to on the remote host. This is normally 21, however, it may be something different if you are going through a firewall, or if the site administrator has assigned the FTP service to a non-standard port.

Passive transfers. Check if you want the client to establish the data connection to the remote host instead of the host establishing the data connection to the local client. This is necessary for some firewall and gateway configurations and when you get failed data channel errors. Note: not all remote host systems support passive transfers.


CONNECT - Firewall Parameters
Session Profile, Firewall Properties

To enter this information, you'll need to get information about your firewall from your network administrator; depending on the type of firewall, you'll need the following information.

For a "SITE hostname" firewall type, you'll need Host Name and User Name (id).

For a "Transparent" firewall type, you'll need User Name (id) and Password.

For "USER with no logon" or "Proxy OPEN" firewall types, you'll need the Host Name. (The User Name and Password are ignored.)

For "USER after logon," "USER remoteID@remoteHost fireID," "USER fireID@remoteHost," or "USER remoteID@fireID@remoteHost" firewall types, you'll need Host Name, User Name (id), and Password.

Use Firewall. If you are behind a firewall host, make sure this is checked. You must insure that the firewall information has been correctly filled out. You can specify a PORT to be used for the firewall.

Host Name. Specify the name or IP address of the firewall.

User ID. Enter the firewall User ID or leave blank if not used.

Password. Enter the firewall password for the specified User ID or leave blank if not used.

Save Password. Check this box only if you are the only user of your computer and no one else has access to your WS_FTP directory. Passwords are stored in the WS_FTP.INI file and even though they are encrypted, it is an easy encryption to break.

Port. Specify the firewall port.

Firewall Type. Select the firewall type from the drop-down list.


Advanced Profile Parameters
Session Profile, Advanced Parameters

Connection Retry

Network Timeout

Remote Port

Initialize Command

Local file mask

Remote file mask

Passive transfers

Use Firewall


FTP Sites

Many companies and organizations maintain FTP servers, or sites, where you can download evaluation versions of software and obtain product information. You can access these sites using an anonymous login. WS_FTP Pro provides a number of predefined profiles for some of the popular FTP sites.

Note: When you log on to an FTP site, look for a file called readme, readme.txt, index, or 00index. Many sites use this file to provide a description of the files available on the site and other information, such as restricted hours for using the site.


Profile Name

This is the name of the FTP session profile, and can be anything you desire to identify the connection you are creating. The length of this name is restricted as it is used as a section name in the WS_FTP.INI file.

You can select from a number of preconfigured profiles for some of the popular FTP sites. Click the Profile Name list box to show the choices.


Remote Host Name
Host Name/Address

This is either a fully qualified Internet host name or an IP address.


Remote Host Type
Host Type

If you know the host type, select it from the drop down list. If you don't know, try "Automatic detect,"which takes care of about 90% of all hosts.

If you can connect to a remote host but don't get a directory listing, try changing the host type.

Note: Check the messages log (click the LogWnd button) to see if the Host Type is identified there. Then, select the corresponding host type from the drop-down list.


User ID (userid)
User ID

Enter the User ID you want to use for this session profile. Or, you can click the Anonymous Login check box to automatically enter anonymous as the User ID.)


Password

Enter the Password you want to use for the User ID you entered.

If this is an anonymous login, enter your full electronic mail address. You can place a minus (-) sign in front of the e-mail address to reduce the number of site administrator messages you receive.


Firewall Password

Enter the password for the firewall.


Account

If the remote host requires an account, enter the account that you want to use for the User ID you entered. Note that the account is used for VM/CMS hosts for the initial password to the user's default directory. When you change directories (ChgDir) on a VM/CMS host you are prompted each time for the password to connect to that directory.


Connection Retry

Number of times to retry establishing a connection if the first connection attempt fails. This can be from 0 to 40 times.


Timeout
Network Timeout

This is the number of seconds before WS_FTP Pro times out waiting for a host response to a command.

Note that the initial timeout is determined by your Winsock DLL. Setting this value higher does not have any effect on the initial connection to the host. Setting to less than the amount of time that your Winsock DLL uses causes the connection to fail in that amount of seconds.


Port

This is the Port to connect to on the remote host. This is normally 21 for FTP, however, it may be something different if you are going through a firewall, or if the site administrator has assigned the FTP service to a non-standard port.


Anonymous Login

Checking this box automatically enters anonymous as your User ID and your e-mail address as the Password.


Firewall
Using a Firewall

If you are behind a firewall, make sure Use Firewall is checked and enter the firewall information. To enter firewall information, you'll need to get information about your firewall from your network administrator; depending on the type of firewall, you'll need the following information.

For a "SITE hostname" firewall type, you'll need Host Name (or Address) and User Name (ID).

For a "Transparent" firewall type, you'll need User Name (ID) and Password.

For "USER with no logon" or "Proxy OPEN" firewall types, you'll need the Host Name (or Address). (The User Name and Password are ignored.)

For "USER after logon," "USER remoteID@remoteHost fireID," "USER fireID@remoteHost," or "USER remoteID@fireID@remoteHost" firewall types, you'll need Host Name (or Address), User Name (ID), and Password.

Host Name. Specify the name or IP address of the firewall.

User ID. Enter the firewall User ID or leave blank if not used.

Password. Enter the firewall password for the specified User ID or leave blank if not used.

Save Password. Check this box only if you are the only user of your computer and no one else has access to your Windows directory. Passwords are stored in the WS_FTP.INI file and even though they are encrypted, it is an easy encryption to break.

Port. Specify the firewall port.

Firewall type. Select the firewall type from the drop-down list.

Passive Mode

For some router-based firewalls, you will want to use passive mode, in which the "data" connections are established by the client rather than by the FTP server. The passive mode of operation can be turned on from the Options screen.


Save Password

Optionally, check this box to save your password with the session profile. If you do not save the password, WS_FTP Pro will prompt you for one when you initiate the connection. (Passwords are stored in the WS_FTP.INI file in an encrypted form.)


Save/Delete buttons
Save and Delete buttons

The Save and Delete buttons are provided to help you manage the session profiles.

Use Save button to save an entry without trying to actually connect to the host. Use the Delete button to remove unwanted entries. The Cancel button exits the dialog box without saving any changes to the current profile.

If the Auto Save Config option is checked, a profile is automatically saved when you click OK. There is no imposed limit on the number of profiles you can have.


auto_save_config
Auto Save Host Configurations (Auto Save Configs)

When enabled, automatically saves the session profile information when you click OK. You can also set this option in the Program Options so it will be enabled for all new session profiles you create.


initial_dirs
Initial Directories

Initial Remote Host Directory. Enter the initial remote start directory for interactive sessions.

Initial Local Directory. Enter the initial local start directory for interactive sessions.


Comment

Enter any comments you want to include with this session profile.


Transferring files
Transferring files or directories

To transfer files or directories:

1	Select the files or directories on the source system.

2	Open the directory to which you want to transfer files on the destination system.

3	Select the file transfer mode.

4	Transfer the files using the left and right arrow buttons located between the list boxes.

•	Click the left arrow button to transfer files from the remote to the local system.

•	Click the right arrow button to transfer files from the local to the remote system.

File uploads and downloads do timeout. You can Cancel the operation in the event that you lose the connection to the remote host.

During the transfer of files, the Help button changes to Cancel if the Show transfer dialog option is not checked. If this option is checked, a Transfer Status dialog box appears. The current transfer can be cancelled by clicking the Cancel button. File uploads will cancel immediately while file downloads may take up to 30 seconds to cancel. In both cases, the partial file is not deleted automatically. You may have to click Cancel a second time!

Note: You can hold the Ctrl key down when you click the transfer arrow to be prompted for a destination filename. You can also click a transfer arrow when no file is selected and you will be prompted for the source file name. This can then be a full pathname or a simple name.

See also:

Transferring multiple files

Appending Files

Transfer mode

Resuming a File Transfer After Failure

Double clicking in list boxes

Changing Directories

HINTS

Auto Transfer of Files


Command Line Options

WS_FTP Pro Command

The command for using WS_FTP Pro from the command line differs depending on which version you installed. Replace ftpro with the executable name of the version you are currently using, for example ftp95 or ws_ftp. See WS_FTP Versions for a list of the executable names for each version.

Syntax

Use the following syntax to transfer a file using the command line. Command arguments, as well as other items enclosed in brackets, are optional. Italics indicate a variable, for example hostname. The bar character "|" means OR, for example hostname | local means you enter either a hostname or the word "local.")

Note: Use the -m argument for transferring multiple files. (Not available in WS_FTP Limited Edition.)

   To transfer a file from the remote system to the local system, use

ftp95pro [command arguments] hostname | profilename:pathname/filename [local:pathname/[filename]

hostname: or profilename:

hostname must be the full domain name or the IP address of a remote host. The User ID will be anonymous and the password will be the specified e-mail address. The hostname must be followed by a colon.

profilename must be the name of a session profile created in the Session Properties dialog box. If the profile contains your username and password (and you checked the Save Password box), these are used. If the profile is not in the default .ini file, use the -i argument to specify another .ini file. profilename must be followed by a colon.

Note: Processing rules for this operation are to use the host, User ID, password, account and gateway/firewall information specified in the profilename if one exists. If one doesn't exist, it is assumed that the hostname is an actual host and the User ID will be anonymous and the password will be the specified e-mail address.

pathname/filename

Enter the pathname, including the drive letter, and the filename for the file on the remote system. (For example, c:\docs\report.txt)

local:pathname/filename

Enter the pathname, including the drive letter, and the filename for the file on the local system. (The pathname/filename is preceded by the word local followed by a colon, local:)

To transfer a file from the local system to the remote system, use:

ftp95pro [command arguments] local:pathname/filename  hostname | profilename:pathname/[filename

local:pathname/filename

Enter the pathname, including the drive letter, and the filename for the file on the local system. (The pathname/filename is preceded by the word local followed by a colon, local:)

hostname or profilename:

hostname must be the full domain name or the IP address of a remote host. The User ID will be anonymous and the password will be the specified e-mail address. hostname must be followed by a colon.

profilename must be the name of a session profile created in the Session Properties dialog box. If the profile contains your username and password (and you checked the Save Password box), these are used. If the profile is not in the default .ini file, use the -i argument to specify another .ini file. profilename must be followed by a colon.

pathname[/filename]

 Enter a pathname, and optionally a filename, to which you want to copy the file on the remote system. If you do not specify a filename, the local (original) filename is used.

See also:

File Transfer Notes

Transferring Multiple Files

Examples of Command Line File Transfer

Automating file transfers


Command line notes
File Transfer Notes

Please note the following:

•	If the hostname or profilename does not specify an anonymous FTP and the host requires a password, but it is not specified in the session profile, you are prompted for the password (and account if applicable).

•	The * and ? wildcards can be used in file names to transfer multiple files to a directory.

•	The Preserve file time on transfer from remote and Convert Extensions options do not work with command line transfers.

•	During transfer of files, a dialog box displays the transfer status. You can click the Cancel button to cancel the transfer. The partial file is not deleted automatically.

•	You can use the following construction to make WS_FTP Pro prompt for the command line:

ftp95pro [args] -ask


command arguments
Command Line Arguments [args]

-i inifile

Forces WS_FTP Pro to use the specified .ini file, where inifile is the name of the .ini file. Use this option if the path is not known to your system or when you want to specify a particular .ini file that contains the profile you want to use. This argument must precede all other arguments.

-p profilename

Run the profile to connect to a remote system, where profilename is the name of a session profile (created in the Session Properties dialog box). If the profile contains your username and password (and you checked the Save Password box), these are used. The profile must be in the default .ini file or in an .ini file specified with the -i argument. This argument must precede all other arguments, except -i.

-c account

Specifies an account for those systems that require an account to log on or access partitions.

-ascii

Specifies the file transfer mode. Use this argument when transferring text files.

-binary

Specifies the file transfer mode. Use this argument when transferring non-text files, such as executable programs, word processing documents, spreadsheets, databases, graphics files and sound files.

-quiet

Overrides the normal behavior of displaying a message box if an error occurs. Useful for automated transfers when you do not want WS_FTP Pro to prompt for user input when no one is there to press a key.

-lower

Forces the use of lower case letters in file names.

-s hostname | local:pathname/filename

Specifies the directory path and name of the file to be transferred (source file). For example:

-s profilename:c:/pathname/filename (Remote source)

-s hostname:c:/pathname/filename (Remote source)

-s remote:c:/pathname/filename (Remote source)

-s local:c:\pathname\filename (Local source)

-d hostname | local:pathname/filename

Specifies the directory path and filename to which the source file is copied (destination file). For example:

-d profilename:c:/pathname/filename (Remote destination)

-d hostname:c:/pathname/filename (Remote destination)

-d remote:c:/pathname/filename (Remote destination)

-d local:c:\pathname\filename (Local destination)

-m filename_of_file_containing_args (Pro version only)

Transfers multiple files. See Transferring Multiple Files.

See also:

Examples of Command Line File Transfers


Command line multiple transfer
Transferring Multiple Files

There are two ways to transfer multiple files:

•	Use the * or ? wildcards in the filename.

•	Use the -m argument and place the transfer commands in a file.

Using Wildcard Characters to Transfer Multiple Files

You can use the * and ? characters in filenames to specify multiple files. The following command downloads all zip files in the download directory on ftp.ipswitch.com to a local directory:

ftp95pro ftp.ipswitch.com:\download\*.zip  local:c:\download\

Using the -m argument

You can use the -m argument to invoke a file that contains multiple file transfer commands.

-m filename_of_file_containing_args

where file is a file that contains the file transfer commands specified using the syntax shown above. Note that you do not enter the command itself (ftp95pro) in this file. For example, you can specify the command as:

ftp95pro -m transfer.txt

where transfer.txt contains the following lines:

ftp.wicket.com:/etc/hosts  local:/vmunix

ftp.wicket.com:/etc/hosts  local:/vmunix2

Each text line must contain only one command line. You can use any of the command line arguments in the transfer file. Multiple lines will be treated as a connect/transfer/disconnect for each line. If a directory transfer is specified, it will complete in one connection.


command examples
Examples of Command Line File Transfers

The following command uploads a file to a remote file:

ftp95pro local:\upload\file.zip  ftp.ipswitch.com:\upload\file.zip

The following command downloads a file to a local file:

ftp95pro ftp.ipswitch.com:\download\file.zip  local:c:\download\file.zip

The following command downloads all zip files in the download directory on ftp.ipswitch.com to a local directory:

ftp95pro ftp.ipswitch.com:\download\*.zip  local:\download

The following command invokes the Session Profile dialog box with the profile named download. You can use this command to create an icon that launches a profile, and then connect to the system by clicking the Connect button.

ftp95pro -p download

The following command displays a dialog box that prompts for the command line:

ftp95pro -ask

The following commands download a URL file to a local file. Use the file or ftp parameters depending on the type of URL:

ftp95pro file://www.ipswitch.com/download/file.zip  local:\download\file.zip

ftp95pro ftp://www.ipswitch.com/download/file.zip  local:\download\file.zip


Command Line Options Info

To set up an icon on your desktop to automatically invoke a file transfer operation:

1	Set the Command Line for the icon to one of the following:

To receive a file:

ws_ftp [args] hostname:full_path_to_file    [local:full_path_to_destination]

To send a file:

ws_ftp [args] local:full_path_to_file hostname:full_path_to_file

2	Set the Working Directory to where you want the file to be placed if it is not specified in the command line.

3	Set the Description to something descriptive.


resume transfer
Resuming File Transfer (Auto reget)

Most, but not all, FTP servers allow the "auto reget" option. It works like this: when a file transfer is interrupted while in progress because of a lost connection or because it was cancelled, WS_FTP Pro can resume the transfer when you reconnect to the remote system. When you reconnect, WS_FTP Pro asks if you want to resume the transfer.

Do one of the following:

•	Click Yes to resume the transfer.

•	Click No to cancel the transfer.

Note: If you choose not to resume the transfer, you will be left with a partial file (from the interrupted transfer) in the destination directory. You should delete this file.

The resume transfer feature is enabled by default. You can disable this feature by toggling off the check box for the Enable auto reget of failed transfers option in the Pro options.


Hints

•	If you have problems transferring files, try changing the MTU of your stack to 576.

•	Make sure you use binary mode to transfer .zip or .exe files.

•	Make sure your modem is set to hardware flow control if you are using a SLIP or PPP connection.

•	If you get a "Can't open file for write" message, exit to DOS, enter SET and make the directories specified by your TMP and TEMP environment variables.

•	Hold the Ctrl key down when you click a transfer arrow to be prompted for a destination file name.

•	For additional functions, use the right-mouse menu anywhere in the main window.

See also:

Change default local directory

Overcoming name conversion problems

Changing Directories

Execute buttons

Double clicking

Transfer Mode

Saving a "viewed" file

Drag-and-Drop

No directory listing

Access to debug commands


Changing the default directory

To set the default local startup directory to be something other than where WS_FTP Pro is located:

•	Highlight the WS_FTP Pro icon and press Alt-Enter (or select Properties) in Windows.

•	Change the Start in directory to the desired directory.

In the 32-bit version, you can also save the current directories (when connected) to be the default directories for your session profile (see Session Options).


Overcoming name conversion problems

If you have problems with remote to local file name conversions, check the Prompt option in the Program Options. You will then be shown the proposed file name and allowed to change it. Alternatively, you can hold the Ctrl key down when you initiate the transfer and you will be prompted for each destination filename.


Changing Directories

To change directories, click on the desired directory and click the ChgDir button.

If you want to change to a directory without scrolling and moving up and down the directory structure, make sure there is no name selected in the list box and click the ChgDir button (works with RmDir button also). When changing drives on a remote system, you usually have to enter a directory name in addition to the drive letter.

You can also double click a directory name to change to that directory.

To change directories in the 32-bit version, edit the directory pathname in the current directory box, or use the ChgDir button. Also, if you enable the Remember directories option, the drop-down list for both the local and remote current directories will show the directories you visited during the last session.

See also Changing the default local directory.


Double clicking

You can double click a directory name to make that directory current. You can double click a file name to transfer that file (or to execute the file), depending on the how you set up the double click options.

You can choose to have the double click action activate one of the following:

Transfer file

View file

Nothing


File Transfer Modes

Use binary mode to transfer all files unless you know the file contains only text, then use ASCII.

If you know that the host you are transferring to or from is the same as your local host, you can always use Binary mode and never use ASCII.

Transfer Modes:

ASCII

BINARY

L8

Auto Detect


Saving a "viewed" file

If you use View to display a remote file and then want to save that file and have the viewer set to Notepad, you can select the Save As... menu option and save the file to whatever name you want.


Transferring Multiple Files

To transfer multiple files, use the Shift or Ctrl keys when selecting file names. (These are the standard Windows methods of selecting files.)

To select two or more items in sequence:

•	Click the first file that you want to select and drag the mouse pointer down, releasing the mouse button on the last file in the group.

or,

•	Click the first file that you want to select.

•	Press and hold down Shift while you click the last file in the group.

To select two or more non-contiguous files:

Press and hold down Ctrl while you click each file icon.

To de-select a selected file icon:

Press and hold down Ctrl while you click the selected file icon.

After selecting the desired files, click the left arrow or right arrow button.


append files
Appending Files

You can select one or more files on the source system and transfer those files to the destination system, appending them to a destination file.

1	Select one or more files on the source system.

2	In the source system list box, select Append files from the right-mouse menu.

A dialog box prompts you to enter the destination file name.

3	Enter the name of the file to which you want to append files, and then click OK.

The selected source files are copied to the end of the destination file.


Drag and Drop Feature
Drag and Drop Feature in WS_FTP Pro (not in LE)

You can drag and drop one or more files from the source system to the destination system within the main window. You can also drag-and-drop between WS_FTP Pro and the desktop, or between WS_FTP Pro and other applications. Note that the ability to use the enhanced dragging and dropping in the Pro version is controlled by an option on the Pro tab of the Program Options.

Notes on 16-bit version

In the 16-bit version, you can move files by dragging a file or group of files to a directory on the same system. However, you cannot drag and drop directories in the 16-bit version of WS_FTP Pro, nor can you drag and drop from the remote host to another application.


Directory Display Problems

If you can connect to a remote host but don't get a directory listing, try changing the host type in the Session Profile or Session tab of Program Options. "Automatic detect" takes care of about 90% of all hosts; however, some hosts may not be properly auto-detected and must be set at connect time.

If you have a host that just won't display correctly, use the following procedure.

If the host is available via anonymous FTP or if you can create a test account for us, send access information to <junodj@ipswitch.com>

If the host is not available via anonymous FTP,

1	Go to General Options (Program Options in the 16-bit version) and make sure Debug Messages is checked.

2	Exit WS_FTP Pro and restart.

3	Connect to the remote host.

4	Press the LogWnd button and save the log window to a file.

5	Press the DirInfo button and save the file listing to a file.

6	Mail both files to <junodj@ipswitch.com> along with as much of a description of the host as possible.


Debug Menu

You can bring up a pop-up menu by clicking the right-mouse button when the cursor is pointing at the gray area of the main window. This gives you access to some additional FTP commands.


Options
Program Options

WS_FTP Pro provides many options through which you can tailor its operation to meet your particular file transfer needs. To access these options, click the Options button in the main window. A dialog box appears with a number of options.

Program Options. General and Advanced Options affect the layout and operation of WS_FTP Pro.

Session Options. Session options affect the current session (and session defaults).

Pro Options. Pro options affect the overall operation of WS_FTP Pro.

ASCII Extensions. Extensions are used for Auto Mode (auto detect binary/ASCII).

Extension Conversions. You can change extensions on transfer.

File Associations. Associations affect execution by Exec button.

Save Directory Names

Save Window Locations


Program Options
Options, Program Options

Options available in this dialog affect the display and operation of WS_FTP Pro.

Alternate Screen Layout

Show Buttons at Top of Screen

Show Full Directory Information

Auto Save Host Configurations

Verify Deletions

Show Connect Dialog on Startup

Debug Messages

List Box Font

Scale Fonts

Text Viewer

E-Mail Address

Log filename

Enable log

Double Click Action

Transfer file

View file

Nothing

Transfer Rate Display

Network Buffer Size

   Receive size

Transmission size


Options (2-window)
Program Options

In the WS_FTP Pro window, click the Options button. The properties dialog box appears with the following tabs.

General tab. Settings for basic operations of WS_FTP Pro.

Advanced tab. Settings for advanced operations of WS_FTP Pro.

Display tab. Settings for the layout of the main window.

Sounds tab. Settings for sounds that notify you of FTP events.

Sort tab. Settings for sorting the directory and file names in the list boxes.

Pro tab. Settings for Pro only features.

Session tab. Settings for how you're currently transferring, or how you always transfer.

Convert tab. Lets you convert file extensions on transfer.

Extensions tab. Lets you specify extensions to be transferred in ASCII format when using Auto Mode file transfer.

Associations tab. Lets you associate file extensions with an executable program.


OPTIONS - General
Program Options, General Tab

E-Mail Address

Text Viewer

Log Filename

Enable Log

Verify Deletions

Debug Messages

Remote Edit uses ShellExecute

Reset Window Locations

Save Window Locations


OPTIONS - Advanced
Program Options, Advanced Tab

Show Full Directory Information

Auto Save Host Configurations

Show Connect Dialog on Startup

Double Click Action

Transfer file

View file

Nothing

   Network Buffer Size

Receive Size

Transmission Size

Transfer Rate Display


OPTIONS - Display
Program Options, Display Tab

Options available in this dialog affect the display of WS_FTP Pro.

Alternate Screen Layout

Show Buttons at Top of Screen

Hide Directory Buttons

Auto Scale Fonts

List Box Font

Date Format


OPTIONS - Sounds
Program Options, Sounds Tab

Connection Success. If checked, the specified wave file (or beep) is sounded when a connection succeeds.

Connection Failure. If checked, the specified wave file (or beep) is sounded when a connection fails.

Transfer Complete Success. If checked, the specified wave file (or beep) is sounded when a transfer succeeds.

Transfer Complete Failure. If checked, the specified wave file (or beep) is sounded when a transfer fails.

Other Failures. If checked, the specified wave file (or beep) is sounded when any error occurs during the retrieval of directories, renaming or deleting files or directories, or during other FTP errors. To have the same sounds as earlier versions of WS_FTP Pro, make sure this box is not checked.

Sounds

None - no sounds

Beeps - use system sounds

Wave - play the specified WAV files


OPTIONS - Session
Program Options, Session Tab

The settings on the Session and Session (cont'd) tabs of the Program Options can be applied in two different ways. They can be:

•	Set for the current session profile and until you Exit the program

or,

•	Always in effect.

If you want the settings to apply to the current session profile and until you Exit the program, set the desired options and click Apply or OK. (Do not click Set as default.)

If you want the settings to remain in effect when you re-start WS_FTP Pro, set the desired options and click Set as default.

Host Type

Update Directories After Transfer

Show Transfer Progress Dialog

Use Passive Transfer Mode

Use Firewall

Force Lowercase Remote Names

Convert Extensions

Remember Directories

Save Current Directories as Connection Directories

For more session settings see Session (continued).


OPTIONS - Session (cont)
Program Options, Session (cont'd) Tab

The settings on the Session and Session (cont'd) tabs of the Program Options can be applied in two different ways. They can be:

•	Set for the current session profile and until you Exit the program

or,

•	Always in effect.

If you want the settings to apply to the current session profile and until you Exit the program, set the desired options and click Apply or OK. (Do not click Set as default.)

If you want the settings to remain in effect when you re-start WS_FTP Pro, set the desired options and click Set as default.

File Names

Send Unique (host assigns name)

Receive Unique (PC assigns name)

Prompt for Destination File Names

Startup Transfer Mode

The Startup Transfer Mode is the default transfer mode when you transfer a file. You can change this for individual transfers.

ASCII

BINARY

L8

Auto Detect


OPTIONS - Pro
Program Options, Pro

Use the Pro tab to enable or disable certain features of WS_FTP Pro.

Enable drag and drop between windows

Enable auto reget of failed transfers

Preserve file time on transfer from remote

Prompt for overwrite of same or newer files

Don't transfer older or same files during directory transfer


OPTIONS - Sort
Sorting List Boxes

You can sort the directories and files in the Local System or Remote System list boxes from here.

See also:

Sorting Directories and Files.


OPTIONS - Convert
Converting Extensions

Use the Convert tab to have WS_FTP Pro automatically convert the extensions of transferred files. For example, if the remote system uses .html for HTML files and your system uses .htm, you can specify that all files with the extension .html are converted to .htm on transfer. The list box shows all defined extension conversions.

Note: Make sure Convert Extensions in the Session tab is checked.

To add an extension conversion:

1	In the Source text box, enter the file extension of the source file.

2	In the Destination text box, enter the file extension to convert to (destination file).

3	Click the Add button.

The extension conversion appears in the list box.

To delete an extension conversion:

•	Select it in the list box and click the Delete button.


OPTIONS - Extensions
Setting Auto Detect Extensions

Use the Extensions tab to specify the transfer mode for different file extensions. When Auto Detect is selected for the transfer mode, WS_FTP Pro transfers all files in binary mode, unless the extension is in this tab, in which case the file is transferred in ASCII mode.

To add a file extension to the Auto Detect list:

1	In the text box, enter a file extension. (The extension can be up to ten characters long and can contain periods.)

2	Click the Add button. The extension appears in the list box. The list box shows all file extensions WS_FTP Pro transfers in ASCII mode when using Auto Detect.

To delete a file extension from the list box:

•	Select the extension and click the Delete button.


OPTIONS - Associations
Setting Associations

The Associations tab is used to associate files of a particular extension with an executable file. In this way, you can a map file type to an application (executable file) that can run that type of file. When you choose the Exec button, the file is opened in the associated application.

To set up an association:

1	Click the Options button, and click the Associations tab (if it's not already visible).

2	In the Files with Extension text box, enter the file extension to be associated with an executable program.

2	In the Associate With text box, enter the executable program to run when the Exec button is clicked. You can use the Browse button to browse your directories and files to locate the executable program.

Note: The 32-bit version of WS_FTP Pro calls ShellExecute to execute the file through the shell. If this fails, WS_FTP Pro uses the associations specified in this dialog. These associations are unique to WS_FTP Pro in this environment.


Alternate Screen Layout (program option)
Alternate Screen Layout

This check box controls the layout of the main window. The standard layout shows the Local System on the left, and the Remote System on the right.

The "alternate layout" shows the local directory and file list on top and the remote directory and file list on the bottom. Directories are on the left and file lists are on the right.


Buttons on Top (program option)
Show Buttons at Top of Screen

Controls the placement of the buttons that are normally across the bottom of the window.


hide dir buttons
Hide Directory Buttons (32-bit version)

If checked, hides the column of buttons (ChgDir, MkDir, etc). These functions will then be available only from the right-mouse menu.


Show Directory Information (program option)
Show Full Directory Information

When this option is checked, additional file information is displayed when possible. However, WS_FTP Pro does not attempt to decipher or interpret this information; it is shown only for informational purposes.

Note: Not all host types are supported for this option!


Auto Save Config (program option)
Auto Save Host Configurations

If checked, WS_FTP Pro automatically saves the session profile when you click the OK button in the Session Properties dialog box. Though this option also appears in the Session Properties dialog box, its state is saved only in this dialog box.


Verify Deletions (program option)
Verify Deletions

If checked, WS_FTP Pro prompts you for confirmation when you delete files.


Auto Connect (program option)
Show Connect Dialog on Startup

When this option is checked, WS_FTP Pro displays the connect (Session Properties) dialog box when WS_FTP Pro first starts.


Debug Messages (program option)
Debug Messages

When this option is checked, extra debug messages are included in the message window at the bottom of the main window. (These messages generally are of no value to the user as all error messages are displayed even when this option is off.)


Text Viewer (program option)
Text Viewer

Enter the name of the program that is invoked when you click the DirInfo or View buttons. The default text viewer is the Windows Notepad.


Log Filename

Specify the name of the file where transfers are logged. Note that this should be a full pathname if you don't want log files in every directory. When the Enable log option is enabled, WS_FTP Pro writes the message log to this file.


Enable Log

When checked, enables the logging of interactive transfers. WS_FTP Pro writes the message log to the file specified in the Log filename text box.


E-Mail Address (program option)
E-Mail Address

This is used as the default password for anonymous logins as required by most anonymous FTP sites.

You can place a minus (-) sign in front of the e-mail address in order to minimize the number of descriptive messages you'll receive from the FTP site administrator.


edit shell execute
Remote Edit Uses ShellExecute

Check this box if, when selecting a remote file for editing, you want to open the selected file in its associated application without transferring the file to a temporary file on your local system. The file will be opened in the application associated with its extension (for example, a .doc file will be opened in Microsoft Word). See Associations for more information.

Note: When this box is not checked, a remote file selected for editing will be transferred and given the extension .tmp, thus the transferred file (such as a .doc file) will not open in its associated application.

To edit a file, select it, and then select Edit File from the right-mouse menu.


reset window (Genl Opts)
Reset Window Location

Resets the current main window size and location to the original settings.


save window (Genl Opts)
Save Window Locations

Saves the current main window size and location. In order to save column and internal sizes, the main window must not be maximized.


4 digit yrs (program option)
Display 4 digit years

When this option is checked, WS_FTP Pro displays the year in four digit format (1998) rather than two (98); this display affects the Date fields in both the local and remote list of directories and files.


ListBox Font (program option)
List Box Font

Changes the font used in list boxes.

System Variable, which is a variable font, is the default.

System Fixed is the fixed system font and will improve the alignment of columns in the boxes.

ANSI Variable is a narrower font than the System font.

ANSI Fixed is the ANSI fixed font.

Selecting Custom Font displays the Windows font dialog box from which you can select a specific font family, style, and size.


Scale Fonts (program option)
(Auto) Scale Fonts

When checked, the font in dialog boxes (excluding list boxes) is the ANSI variable font and it reduces in size when the window size reduces.


Double Click Transfer (program option)
Double Click Action: Transfer

When you double click a filename, the file is transferred to the system whose information is displayed in the opposite side of the window. Therefore, if you double click a file on the local side, it is uploaded to the remote system; and if you double click a file on the remote side, it is downloaded to the local system.


Double Click View (program option)
Double Click: View (file)

When you double click a filename, the file is opened in the viewer you have defined in the Program Options (16-bit version) or on the General tab of the Program Options (32-bit version). If you double click a remote file, it is transferred in the selected file transfer mode to the Windows temporary directory on the local system and opened in the viewer.


Double Cick Nothing (program option)
Double Click: Nothing

When you double click a filename, nothing happens.


Receive Size (program option)
Network Buffer Size: Receive size (32-bit version)

Recv Bytes (16-bit version)

This option controls how many bytes are read from the network in each read (recv). The value can vary from 80 to 4096. You should see the best results with this set to 4096. Note that the actual number of bytes read in each read is determined by the TCP/IP stack and by the amount of information available.


Send Size (program option)
Network Buffer Size: Transmission size (32-bit version)

Send Bytes (16-bit version)

This option controls how many bytes are written to the network in each send. The value can vary from 80 to 4096. The optimum value to place here will depend on your underlying TCP/IP stack. If you have a direct connection, 4096 is best. If you have a SLIP or PPP connection, you probably want to set it to the MTU size.


Pro Options
Options, Pro Options

You can use the Pro Options to enable or disable certain features of WS_FTP Pro.

Enable drag-and-drop between windows

Enable auto reget of failed transfers

Sort options


Enable drag-drop (pro option)
Enable drag and drop between windows

When checked, you can transfer directories and files between systems by dragging them with the mouse from one list box to another.

See also:

Drag-and-drop


Enable reget (pro option)
Enable auto reget of failed transfers

When checked, WS_FTP Pro asks if you want to resume an interrupted transfer when you reconnect to the remote system. An interrupted transfer is one that is stopped because of a lost connection or because it was cancelled.

See also:

Resuming file transfers


Preserve time (pro option)
Preserve file time on transfer from remote

When checked, a downloaded file maintains its original creation date and time. If not checked, a downloaded file is updated to the the date and time of the transfer. Note that this option does not apply to uploaded files.


Prompt for overwrite (pro option)
Prompt for overwrite of same or newer files

When checked, WS_FTP Pro asks if you want to overwrite a file when you attempt to transfer a directory or file to a destination where there is the same or newer version (by date and time). Note that this feature will not work with some FTP servers.


Dont transfer older (pro option)
Don't transfer older or same files

When checked, WS_FTP Pro transfers only those files in a directory for which there are not the same or newer versions (by date and time) in the destination directory.


Session Options
Options, Session Options

The settings in this dialog box can be applied in two different ways: they can affect just what you're currently working on, or they can always be in effect.

If you want the settings to remain in effect only until you exit WS_FTP Pro, set the desired options and click Apply or OK. (Do not click Save as default.)

If you want the settings to remain in effect when you re-start WS_FTP Pro, set the desired options and click Save as default.

Host Type

Auto Update Remote Directories

Show Transfer Dialog

Use PASV Transfer Mode

Sorted List Boxes

Use Firewall

Force Lowercase

Convert Extensions

File Names:

Send Unique (host assigns name)

Receive Unique (PC assigns name)

Prompt for Destination File Names

Sounds

Transfer Modes:

ASCII

BINARY

L8

Auto Detect

View links


Auto Update Remote Directories (session option)
Auto Update Remote Directories (16-bit version)

Update Directories After Transfer (32-bit version)

When checked, the remote directory list is refreshed after uploading a file, deleting a file or directory, or creating a directory. When not checked, you can click the Remote System Refresh button to update the directory.


Show Transfer Dialog (session option)
Show Transfer (Progress) Dialog

When checked, a Transfer Progress dialog box appears during file transfers and displays the status of the transfer. If not checked, the Transfer Progress dialog box does not appear.

The Transfer Progress dialog box shows a percent done bar if the file size is sent from the remote host on receives. You can click the Cancel button in the dialog box at any time to cancel the transfer. If you cancel a transfer, you will have a partial file in the transfer destination. You should delete the partial file.


Initialize Command

Enter any commands that need to be issued to the remote host at the beginning of the FTP session. For example, the command SITE UMASK 022 changes the UMASK used when creating files (on a UNIX system). Separate multiple commands with a semi-colon (;).


Local file mask

Enter the initial startup arguments for the listing files on the local system. For example, *.zip will show all .zip files in the startup directory. If blank, this defaults to *.* to show all files and directories.


Remote file mask

Enter the initial startup arguments for the remote LIST command. This could be "-al" or "-la" to display all files on a UNIX system or something like "*.zip".


Use PASV Transfer Mode (session option)
Use Passive (PASV) Transfer Mode

By default, FTP data connections are established by the FTP server. Passive (PASV) Mode forces the data connections to be established by the client. Passive mode may be required for users who are behind some types of router-based firewalls or behind a gateway requiring passive transfers.


Send Unique (session option)
Send Unique (host assigns name)

This option makes sure the transmitted file names do not conflict with existing files if the remote host supports the FTP command, STOU. The new filename is determined by the remote host.


Receive Unique (session option)
Receive Unique (PC assigns name)

This option makes sure the received file names do not conflict with existing files. The new filename is changed so that the sixth though eighth characters of the filename are a number between 000 and 999.


Prompt for Destination (session option)
Prompt for Destination File Names

When this option is checked, WS_FTP Pro prompts you to confirm or change the destination path and filename. For each file that is transferred, WS_FTP Pro shows you the proposed destination file name and allows you to change it. You can enter a full pathname to a different directory if you want.

Note: When this option is checked, you can bypass the prompt by holding down the Ctrl key when you click the transfer arrow.


Sound When Transfer Done (session option)
Sounds

Plays the specified sound on connection success, on file transfer success, or on an error. On Windows 3.x, if you have a sound card and have Enable System Sounds checked in the Control Panel Sound setup, this will be the Default Beep sound.

None. No sounds

Beeps. Use system sounds

Wave. Play the specified WAV files (connect.wav, complete.wav, and error.wav)


Sorted Listboxes (session option)
Sorted List Boxes

If this box is checked, the Remote System list box is automatically sorted alphabetically. Otherwise the files are presented in the order the remote host transmits them.

See also:

Sort options in the Pro options


Send PORT Command (session option)
Send PORT Command -- This option is no longer displayed in any dialog boxes.

(Session option)

This causes the PORT nn,nn,nn,nn,nn,nn command to be sent to the remote system each time a file is transferred.

Note: This should always be left on. This option is NOT saved along with the other program options.


ASCII (transfer mode)
(Startup) Transfer Mode: ASCII

Used for text file transferring. The end-of-line character is different on different types of computers; using ASCII mode ensures that the end-of-line character is translated properly.

Note: If you know that the FTP server you are transferring to or from is running the same operating system as your local system, you can always use binary mode and never use ASCII.


Binary (transfer mode)
(Startup) Transfer Mode: Binary

Binary mode is used for transferring files that are not text (ASCII files). Executable programs, word processing documents, spreadsheets, databases, graphics files, and sound files are some examples of files that must be transferred in binary mode.

If you know that the FTP server you are transferring to or from uses the same operating system as your local system, you can always use binary mode and never use ASCII.


L8 (transfer mode)
(Startup) Transfer Mode: L8

Used for VMS non-text file transferring.


set extensions
Specifying ASCII (Text) File Extensions

Use the Extensions tab to specify ASCII transfer mode for particular file extensions. When Automatic Detect is the transfer mode, WS_FTP Pro uses ASCII mode for files having the extensions listed here. If the file extension is not listed on this tab, the file is transferred in binary mode.

To add a file extension to the Auto Detect list:

1	In the text box, enter a file extension. (The extension can be up to ten characters long and can contain periods.)

2	Click the Add button. The extension appears in the list box. The list box shows all file extensions WS_FTP Pro transfers in ASCII mode when using Auto Detect.

To delete a file extension from the list box:

•	Select the extension and click the Delete button.


setting ext convert
Setting Up Extension Conversions

You can have WS_FTP Pro automatically convert the extensions of transferred files. For example, if the remote system uses .html for HTML files and your system uses .htm, you can specify that all files with the extension .html are converted to .htm on transfer. The list box shows all defined extension conversions.

Note: Make sure Convert Extensions is checked. (In the 32-bit version, this is on the Session tab of Program Options; in the 16-bit version, this setting is in the Session Options.

To add an extension conversion:

1	In the Source text box, enter the file extension of the source file.

2	In the Destination text box, enter the file extension to convert to (destination file).

3	Click the Add button.

The extension conversion appears in the list box.

To delete an extension conversion:

•	Select it in the list box and click the Delete button.


set associations
Setting Associations

The Associate tab is used to associate files of a particular extension with an executable file. This allows you to map file types to an application (executable file) that can run that type of file. When you choose the Exec button, the file is opened in the associated application.

To set up an association:

1	In the Files with Extension text box, enter the file extension to be associated with an executable program.

2	In the Associate With text box, enter the executable program to run when the Exec button is clicked. You can use the Browse button to browse your directories and files to locate the executable program.

Note: In Windows 95 and Windows NT, the "classic" interface of WS_FTP Pro calls ShellExecute to execute the file through the shell. If this fails, WS_FTP Pro uses the associations specified in this dialog. These associations are unique to WS_FTP Pro in this environment.


Use Firewall (session opt)
Use Firewall

When checked, this enables the Firewall properties defined in the session profile. Check this box and click the Save As Default button to make it the default value for all session profiles. You can also set this property on a per profile basis in the Firewall tab of the Session Properties dialog box.


Force lowercase (session)
Force Lowercase (Remote Names)

When checked, all local to remote file transfers convert the transferred file names to all lower case letters.


Extension convert (session option)
Convert Extensions

When checked, the extensions of all transferred files are compared with an extension list. If the file extension is found in this list, the destination file name is changed to match the desired extension. For example:

htm=html

or,

html=htm


remember directories (session)
Remember Directories

If checked, the drop-down list for both the Local System and Remote System shows the directories you visited during the session. These directories are saved if you click the Close button before exiting the session.


Save dir names (session)
Save Current Directories as Connection Directories

Saves the local and remote directory names in the current session profile.


Auto Detect (transfer mode)
(Startup) Transfer Mode: Automatic Detect

When checked, all files are transferred in binary mode unless the extension is listed on the Extensions tab. (WS_FTP Pro stores the ASCII extensions in the ws_ftp.txt file). Extensions can be up to ten characters long and can contain periods.

Note: These are not DOS extensions! Rather they are the ending characters of a filename. If you expect it to match on a period, you must put the period in. Some samples are shown below.

.LST

.TXT

.ME

README


View links

If this option is checked, you can view links on the remote system (for example, UNIX symbolic links) as directories or as files.

Note: This option does not appear in the 32-bit versions of WS_FTP Pro because links are handled automatically there.


Author Information

Copyright 1992-1998, Ipswitch, Inc.

Written by John Junod, Joe O'Connor, Mary Jane Soule.


Acknowledgments

There have been a lot of people that have contributed ideas and information to support WS_FTP Pro. It is no longer possible to keep up with this list of people. Sorry!

Some code concepts are based on code that is copyrighted by the Regents of the University of California or code published in UNIX Network Programming by W. Richard Stevens or published in Programming Windows by Charles Petzold or in the Microsoft manuals/samples or code in WATTCP or other public sources. The rest is based on my knowledge of Windows programming and my interpretation of RFC 969 and the Windows Sockets API version 1.1.

- John Junod


License Information

Copyright © 1992-1998 Ipswitch, Inc. All rights reserved.

Please refer to the separate license agreement.


Latest Version

The latest version of the Limited Edition versions can be found through the Web on http://www.ipswitch.com or at the "home" FTP site FTP1.IPSWITCH.COM.

The WS_FTP Pro web home pages are at http://www.ipswitch.com.


Installation

The installation procedure is the same for new users as it is for upgraders.

To install WS_FTP Pro,

1	Insert the WS_FTP Pro disk into a floppy disk drive.

2	If you are running Windows 95 or NT 4.0 or later, click the Start button and select Run. If you are running Windows 3.x or NT 3.51, select Run form the File menu.

3	Enter the drive letter followed by install.exe. For example, a:install.exe.

3	When asked, choose WS_FTP Pro Installation.

4	Follow the instructions on your screen.

Note: If you are upgrading from a previous version of WS_FTP Pro, do not replace the WS_FTP. ini file, as this file contains all your session/site profiles.


Anonymous, definition
Anonymous FTP

Most FTP sites support anonymous logins where you do not have to have an actual account on the system in order to access the system to transfer files. Normally, the User ID is the word "anonymous" and the password is your e-mail address. Usually, you can place a minus (-) sign in front of the e-mail address to reduce the number of messages that come from the FTP site administrator.


Firewall, definition
Firewall

Some organizations have chosen to separate their networks from the rest of the world while still allowing certain users the ability to access resources outside of that organization's network. This access is provided through a "gateway" or "firewall" host system and is generally uni-directional.

There are other kinds of firewall, which are not specifically configured. If your local area network is behind a router-based firewall or behind a gateway requiring passive transfers, use the Passive mode of FTP.


FTP, definition
FTP

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. This is one of the standard protocols defined for use on a TCP/IP network.


Winsock, definition
Winsock

Winsock is a specification that network software providers use as a guideline for the standard application programming interface to their network software.


Upload

Transferring a file from your local workstation to a remote host or workstation.


Download

Transferring a file to your local workstation from a remote host or workstation.


Local file name

Enter a valid name for an MS_DOS file in the form of filename.ext. Filename is a maximum of eight characters consisting of the letters A-Z and digits 0-9. Ext is a maximum of three characters consisting of the letters A-Z and digits 0-9. We recommend you use standard extensions for files, such as .TXT, .ZIP, .DOC, .WKS, etc.


Remote file name

Enter a name for a file that is valid on the system you are connected to. Many systems allow names that are much longer than MS_DOS allows. Also, some systems allow characters that MS_DOS does not allow. No error checking or filtering is performed on the name that you enter.


Remote directory name

Enter the name of a remote directory. Naming conventions must match the remote system. Refer to the documentation for the remote system for additional help. On most systems, a directory must be empty in order to be able to delete it. Not all remote systems allow you to make and delete directories; you must have an account on the server and write access privileges.


SITE Command

(right-mouse menu)

Enter a remote site specific command. WS_FTP Pro prefixes your entry with the word SITE and sends your entry to the remote system without any editing. It is up to you to determine what is valid input for this command by reading the documentation for the remote system.


QUOTE Command

(right-mouse menu)

Enter any command you want. WS_FTP Pro sends it to the remote system, unedited. It is up to you to determine the command syntax depending on the host you are connected to. You should not send any commands that need to open a secondary channel.


Troubleshooting

This section lists some of the common FTP connection and file transfer problems. For more solutions to common questions, see the Support area of our Web site. Go to http://www.ipswitch.com and click the Support link.

Problems Connecting to an FTP Site

Problem: I cannot connect to a remote host.

Solution: Make sure you have an active dial-up or direct Internet connection. WS_FTP Pro is not a dialer. It calls the Winsock DLL and uses the dialer or direct connection specified there.

Problem: I installed the 32-bit or Windows 95 version of WS_FTP Pro on Windows 95, then started WS_FTP Pro but cannot connect to another system.

Solution: Check to see if you are running the Windows 95 TCP/IP stack. If not, install the 16-bit version of WS_FTP Pro, start WS_FTP Pro and try to make the connection. (If this works, you are running a 16-bit TCP/IP stack.)

Problem: I cannot log on to the remote host.

Solution: Check your directory and file access privileges on the remote host. These permissions are set by the site administrator and cannot be changed by WS_FTP Pro.

Problem: My connection closes after n minutes of inactivity.

Solution: The FTP server determines the connection timeout. Most FTP servers will close the connection after a few minutes of inactivity. You can change this setting only on the FTP server, not from WS_FTP Pro.

Problem: WS_FTP Pro doesn't work with my AOL connection.

Solution: AOL uses a 16-bit TCP/IP stack and will not work with 32-bit TCP/IP applications. For more information on AOL's Winsock support, see the FTP section in your AOL application. You will need to run the 16-bit version of WS_FTP (FTPPRO.EXE).

Problem: WS_FTP Pro can connect to an Ipswitch site and nothing else.

Solution: Configure the DNS (Domain Name Server) in your stack. Talk with your network administrator or your internet provider for the proper values for DNS.

Problems Viewing Directories and Files

Problem: I can connect to a remote host, but the directory and file display is blank or unreadable.

Solution: Change the host type. Try looking in the message log to see if the host type of the remote system is identified. If you can't figure out the host type, you can try common types such as "UNIX (standard)," "Sun Solaris," or "Win QVT/Net." If those don't work, try "Auto-detect." If you are still having problems, see Directory Display Problems.

Problem: I cannot open a directory on the remote host or transfer a file.

Solution: Check that you have a valid login name and password. If you do not, try selecting the Anonymous check box in the session profile; or, contact the system administrator of the FTP server to which you are trying to connect.

Problem: When I connect to a remote system, the list box for the remote system is blank. In the status window the last thing I see is "DoDirList returned 4."

Solution: Contact your Internet provider to get the proper setting for the Maximum Transfer Unit (MTU) of your network stack. (You can try 552 or 576 as they seem to be common proper values.)

Problems Transferring Files

Problem: The files I transferred are corrupted.

Solution: You may have transferred a binary file in ASCII transfer mode; this can damage the file. Make sure you transfer text files in ASCII mode and most other files in BINARY mode. If you still have problems, verify that you have hardware flow control enabled on your modem. If you are not using the Microsoft TCP/IP stack (part of the Windows 95 or NT operating system), contact your stack vendor.

Problem: I keep getting "failed data channel" errors.

Solution: Try passive transfers.

Problem: How can I transfer a hidden file or a file with a filename containing special characters?

Solution: Make sure nothing is selected, and then click the transfer arrow; you will be prompted for the filename.

Problem: WS_FTP Pro does not always return a complete file and leaves off from 50 to 512 bytes.

Solution: Some network stacks do not properly handle data packets that have the FIN flag set. If you're not using the Microsoft TCP/IP stack (part of the Windows 95 and NT operating systems), contact your network stack provider for an updated version of the network stack.

Problem: WS_FTP Pro only returns NNNNN bytes of a file and can never retrieve the whole file.

Solution: Set the Maximum Transfer Unit (MTU) in your program stack to 576.

Problem: I am running Windows 3.x, and I find that uploading any file over 25K often takes more than 30 minutes, after which I am timed out and disconnected.

Solution: You can solve the slow transfer problem by adding the following to your SYSTEM.INI file (for WIN3.x):

[VNTSPSD]

MaxFramesSize=1000

Problem: I receive one or more "Blocking call cancelled" messages and the file transfer is incomplete.

Solution: If you are using the Microsoft TCP/IP stack (part of the Windows 95 and NT operating systems), try setting the Maximum Transfer Unit (MTU) to 576.

Problems with Program Settings

Problem: WS_FTP Pro won't save the internal window sizes when I click the Save Window Locations button.

Solution: Un-maximize the main window and resize it as you like. Then, click Save Window Locations. (WS_FTP Pro does not save window locations when the window is maximized.)

Problems Renaming and Deleting Files

Problem: I can't rename a file on an FTP server.

Solution: You may not have renaming privileges on the server.

Problem: I can't rename a file on an FTP server, even though I have renaming privileges.

Solution: You may be trying to use a long name on an FTP server that doesn't allow long names. Try a name of eight characters or less.

Problem: I can't delete a file from a remote system.

Solution: You may not have deletion privileges on the remote system.


Download Patches
Downloading Software Patches and New Versions

On occasion, Ipswitch provides a software patch to fix a bug in the currently shipping version of WS_FTP Pro. You can check our download FTP directory or our download directory on our web site for current software patches.

To access download software on the Ipswitch FTP site:

1	In the WS_FTP Pro window, click the Connect button. The Session Properties dialog box appears.

2	In the Session Properties dialog box, select Ipswitch from the Profile Name drop-down list, and then click OK.

WS_FTP Pro connects to the download directory.

3	Select the patch file for your platform type: Intel = x86; DEC Alpha = AXP. The last three digits of the filename indicate the version number. For example, x86_404.exe is the patch file for the Intel platform. 404 indicates version 4.04.

4	Transfer the patch file and place it in your WS_FTP Pro directory. Run the patch file to update the software.

To access download software on the Ipswitch web site:

1	In your web browser, go to: http://www.ipswitch.com

2	Click the Downloads link.

3	Click Patches and Upgrades, and then click the link for your platform type: Intel or DEC Alpha.

4	Save the patch file in your WS_FTP Pro directory.

5	Run the patch file to update the software.


working w dirs and files
Working with Directories and Files

After connecting to a remote host, you can use the directory and file commands to browse file systems on both the local and remote systems.

Just to the right of each list box (one for the Local System and one for the Remote System) is a column of buttons you can use to perform directory and file operations. See WS_FTP Pro window for more information.

You can also access these commands by placing the cursor over the appropriate list box and using the right mouse menu.

Directory functions:

Changing the drive

Changing directories

Creating and removing directories

Refreshing the directory display

Displaying directory and file information

Sorting directories and files

File functions:

Finding files and directories

Viewing files

Executing files

Editing files

Renaming files

Moving files

Deleting files

Changing permissions on a UNIX file

See also:

Selecting directories and files


select dirs and files
Selecting Directories and Files

To select a directory or file in the current directory, select the directory or file name in the local or remote system's list box.

To select multiple files or directories:

•	If the files or directories are contiguous in the list box, click on the first file you want to select, and then Shift-click the last file.

•	If the files or directories are not contiguous, click the first file you want to select, and then Ctrl-click any other files you want to select.

To de-select all directories and files, click the Refresh button.


change default drive
Changing the Drive

The directories shown at the top of the main window under Local System and Remote System also indicate the disk drive on which the directory is located. To change the disk drive:

•	Scroll down the list box and double click the appropriate drive. In Windows 95, disk drives are indicated by a drive letter (for example, a:, c:, d:) and a disk icon.

  or,

•	With nothing selected in the list box, click the ChgDir button. When you are prompted for a directory to change to, enter the drive letter followed by a semicolon (for example, d:), and then click the OK button.

Note: Do not enter a trailing slash (\).


create and remove dirs
Creating and Removing Directories

Not all FTP servers allow you to create and remove directories remotely; you must have an account on the FTP server and write access privileges. For those that do, use the following procedures.

To create a directory:

•	Click the MkDir button. You are prompted for a directory name and must supply a name that is valid for the current system.

To remove a directory:

In the 32-bit version:

•	Select the directory and click the Delete button. Or, click the Delete button with nothing selected and enter a directory name when prompted.

In the 16-bit version:

•	Select the directory and click the RmDir button. Or, click the RmDir button with nothing selected and enter a directory name when prompted.


refresh dir display
Refreshing the Directory Display

To refresh the current directory display for either the local or remote system, click the Refresh button. The directory and file list box display any recent changes to the current directory.

You can also use the Refresh button to de-select any selected directories or files.


display dirinfo
Displaying Directory and File Information

To display directory and file information,

•	Click the DirInfo button.

The Windows Notepad appears and lists the directories and files in the current directory with the size, creation date and time, and protections.

You can:

•	Save the directory listing

•	Print the directory listing

•	Specify a different editor (The Windows Notepad is the default) by using the Text Viewer option in the General properties of the Program Options.


find dirs and files
Finding Directories and Files

If either the local or remote system's directory contains a large number of directories and files, you can limit the items displayed by using the File Mask text box, located below the MkDir button in the WS_FTP Pro window. There are two File Mask text boxes: one for the local system and one for the remote system.

In the File Mask text box enter a filter that is valid for the system, and then press Return. For example, to display only files with the extension .txt, enter *.txt in the File Mask text box and press Return. The corresponding list box is refreshed to display only the files with the extension .txt.

If you are connected to a UNIX host, you can use:

•	"-al" or "-la" in the File Mask text box to view hidden (.) files

•	"-altr" to view file names in date sequence (in the 16-bit versions of WS_FTP Pro only)

You can use any argument string that is valid with a "Dir" command in a command line FTP client.


view files
Viewing Files

Select the file and click the View button. The file is opened in the viewer you have specified in the Text Viewer option on the General tab of the Program Options. The default text viewer is the Windows Notepad.

Select Ctrl+View to display a prompt where you can enter the executable file name for another viewer program.

If you select the View button for the Remote System list box, the file is downloaded to the Windows temporary directory (defined with the DOS TMP environment variable). If it is a large file, it may take some time to transfer the file from the remote system.

Note: Do not try to view a binary file.


execute files
Executing Files

Select the file and then click the Exec button. WS_FTP Pro executes the file according to its file extension. You can associate any file extensions with an application (executable program) in the Associations properties. For example, you can specify that any files with the extension .pdf are opened by the Adobe Acrobat (tm) Reader.

Press Ctrl-Exec to display a prompt where you can enter the executable file name for the application.

If you select the Exec button for the remote system list box, the file is downloaded to the Windows temporary directory (defined with the DOS TMP environment variable). If an association does not exist, you can provide that association at execution time. This association is saved in the win.ini file in the Extensions section and is also valid for Windows. Files are automatically downloaded in binary mode.


Editing Files

You can edit a file on an FTP server if you have an account on the server as well as write access privileges to the file and its directory.

If you associate a file extension with an editor program (see the Associations options), you can open a remote file and edit it. Right-click the file and select Edit from the pop-up menu.

The Remote Edit uses ShellExecute option in the General tab of the Program Options (32-bit version) lets you open the remote file without transferring it to the local system.


rename files
Renaming Files

Not all FTP servers allow you to rename files and directories remotely. You can rename files only if you have an account on the FTP server and renaming access privileges.

To rename a file:

1	Select one or more files

2	Click the Rename button. You are prompted for the new name.

3	Enter the new name for the item and click OK.

If you selected multiple files, you are prompted to rename the next file.

You can also use Prompt for Destination File Names on the Session tab of the Program Options to get a prompt that allows you to rename a file as you transfer it.


Moving Files

You can move files from one directory to another directory on the same system.

1	Select one or more files

2	Right-click one of the selected files and select Move files... from the right mouse menu.

You are prompted for the directory to which you want to move the files.

3	Enter the complete directory path and click OK.

The selected files are moved to the new location.


delete files
Deleting Files

Not all FTP servers allow you to delete files remotely. You can delete files only if the site administrator has given "delete" privileges to the account you logged on with. To delete a file, select the file and then click the Delete button.


change permissons
Changing the permissions for UNIX files

You can change modes for a UNIX file on a remote system, provided you have file-access permission.

1	Right-click the file and select chmod from the pop-up menu.

2	Select any of the options and click the OK button.


Uninstalling

To uninstall WS_FTP Pro,

1	Insert the WS_FTP Pro disk into a floppy disk drive.

2	If you are running Windows 95 or NT 4.0 or later, click the Start button and select Run. If you are running Windows 3.x or NT 3.51, select Run form the File menu.

3	Enter the drive letter followed by install.exe. For example, a:install.exe.

4	When asked, choose Uninstall WS_FTP Pro.

5	Follow the instructions on your screen.


Transfer Rate Display

The transfer rate is displayed in the Transfer Status dialog box. It can be displayed in bits per per second or in bytes per second.


Set as default

The settings on the Session and Session (cont'd) tabs of the Program Options can be applied in two different ways. They can be:

•	Set for the current session profile and until you Exit the program

or,

•	Always in effect.

If you want the settings to apply to the current session profile and until you Exit the program, set the desired options and click Apply or OK. (Do not click Set as default.)

If you want the settings to remain in effect all the time, set the desired options and click Set as default.


Date Format

Dates can appear a number of different ways in WS_FTP Pro. You can display:

•	Years as two digits (for example, 98) or four digits (for example, 1998).

•	Dates as year, month, day (for example, June 9, 1998 would be 980609).

•	Dates as month, day, year (for example, June 9, 1998 would be 060998).

•	Dates as day, month, year (for example, June 9, 1998 would be 060998).