Using the ECN FTP server

Do you need to send files to off-campus colleagues which are too big to transmit as e-mail attachments?  Or do you need to receive files from them? If you can't do it via e-mail, do it instead via FTP (file transfer protocol).

You may use ECN's FTP service to send files -- that is, to make files available for your colleagues to download. The service can be configured either for public download (where data could be accessible to anybody who knows or guesses the address) or for private download (where a private "userphrase" is required which you will provide to your colleagues). Your colleagues need not be affiliated with Purdue.

This service may also be used to receive files -- that is, to enable your colleagues to upload files to you.

This document provides general instructions for using file transfer protocol.  Because there are a wide variety of methods to use FTP (such as native point-and-click clients for Windows, Macintosh, and other operating systems, or traditional textual FTP functions via an MS-DOS or Unix command line), we can't provide specific step-by-step instructions for the exact method you use. If you are not familiar with how to employ the general information provided here, please contact the computer support staff at your location for assistance.

Please note that FTP should not be used for the transfer of proprietary, sensitive, or other restricted information. FTP is not considered a "secure protocol," and this service does not employ SFTP (secure file transfer protocol).

This overview is intended for Purdue faculty and staff who have ECN accounts (e.g. College of Engineering and/or Discovery Park faculty and staff). If you are not affiliated with Purdue but need to transfer files to or from a Purdue colleague, please see Accessing Files on ECN's FTP Server.

1. Obtain an FTP account

Different types of FTP accounts are available:

• Public FTP account: The files you make available could potentially be accessed by anyone worldwide. No password or other security measures are used.

• Private FTP account: The files are available only to people to whom you provide a private "userphrase." Remember, though, that FTP is not a secure protocol. Although requiring a "userphrase" provides some measure of privacy, data sent via FTP is not encrypted. Neither you nor your colleagues should use this service to transfer proprietary, sensitive, or other restricted information.
   
• Private FTP account, including an upload directory: Downloads and/or uploads are available only to people to whom you provide specific private "userphrases."

To request the use of this service, please submit an ECN FTP Account Request Form.

Each "userphrase" will be case-sensitive, e.g. "PurDUe" and "purdue" are different. It is vital that you do not provide us with your Purdue Career Account password or any password you have previously used anywhere else!

ECN's software group will receive your request, set up your account(s), and enter the specific "userphrases" you requested. Keep each "userphrase" in your records; you may need to send it to colleagues as noted below.

2. Place your files on the FTP server

Unlike sending files as e-mail attachments to a colleague (in which you send an e-mail and your colleague passively receives it), using FTP requires both you and your colleague to take action: First, you will upload or copy the files to the FTP server. Then, your colleague will connect to and download the files from the FTP server.

After ECN has created your FTP account, connect to the FTP server to upload the files that you need to make available to your colleagues.

If you requested a "private FTP account," after connecting, you'll see a subdirectory named "private". Copy files there which need to remain password-protected.  Any files not placed in the "private" directory will be publicly accessible to any Internet user.

Windows: Windows-based PC users may map a network drive. In step #4 of the linked instructions, specify the following (changing "username", shown below in italics, to your actual Purdue username):

\\ftp.ecn.purdue.edu\username

Macintosh: In the Finder, connect to the following server (changing "username", shown below in italics, to your actual Purdue username):

smb://ftp.ecn.purdue.edu/username

Unix shell: If you connect via secure shell to an ECN server (e.g. dynamo, pier, shay, etc.), you may copy files to the following directory (changing "username", shown below in italics, to your actual Purdue username):

/ftp/username

3. To help people download your files, send these instructions

Once you have placed your files on the FTP server, copy the following information and send it as instructions for accessing your files.

Public files: If your files are publicly accessible, send your colleague the following (and be sure to change "myusername", shown below in italics, to your actual Purdue username):

The files that I wanted to send you are too big to send as e-mail attachments, so we have made them available by FTP (file transfer protocol). To access the files, please follow steps A1 through A4 on the following web page:

http://eng.purdue.edu/jump/3dc56

For step #A3, my username is as follows: myusername

Private files: If your files are private, accessible only with the userphrase which ECN provided, send the following instead (and be sure to change "myuserphrase", shown below in italics, to the private download "userphrase" you chose during step #1):

The files that I wanted to send you are too big to send as e-mail attachments, so we have made them available by FTP (file transfer protocol). To access the files, please follow steps B1 through B3 on the following web page:

http://eng.purdue.edu/jump/3dc56

For step #B2, my download userphrase is as follows: myuserphrase

4. To receive file uploads from colleagues, send these instructions

4A. How they'll upload the files: Copy the following information and send it as instructions for accessing your files (and be sure to change "myuserphrase", shown below in italics, to the private upload "userphrase" you chose during step #1):

To send me files which are too large to transmit via e-mail, use the Purdue ECN FTP (file transfer protocol) server. To upload the files, please follow steps C1 through C3 (for files up to 2.0 GB in size), or, alternately, steps D1 through D4 (for files of any size) on the following web page:

http://eng.purdue.edu/jump/3dc56

For step #C2 or #D2, my upload userphrase is as follows: myuserphrase

4B. How you'll access the files they've uploaded: Once the files have been uploaded by your colleagues, look in your FTP directory -- the same location you accessed in step #2, above.  Look for and open the "uploads" directory there.

5. How to request that your "userphrase" be changed

Please submit an ECN Trouble Report if you need your FTP download or upload "userphrase" to be changed. The ECN software staff will receive and reply to your inquiry.

(Note for ECN User & Desktop Services and/or site staff: Qshare the item to software.)