File Transfer at the U of M

COMP1260 > Understanding the Internet

Introduction In order to transfer files to and from the U of M through the internet, you need to make use of a technology known as the File Transfer Protocol, or FTP. There are many different ways to use FTP: most web browsers have the ability to handle FTP, and there are many programs that are designed to use the technology as well. The university makes use of a service called NetStorage to allow students to transfer their files from the university to another computer off campus. There are also alternative programs you can use to transfer files as well, such as Dropbox.

...by students Ever since I started using Dropbox I haven't touched my memory stick to transfer my files. I just save everything into my Dropbox folder. As soon as I hit the 'Save' button everything is backed up online and I just have to login to the website to retrieve my files from any computer I want. I don't even have to think about it, it just does it automatically.

File Transfer Protocol

The file transfer protocol is a system that allows you to transfer and modify files across the internet. It is similar to other protocols like the hypertext transfer protocol, or HTTP, which is used to transfer webpages. Most web browsers and many programs support FTP.

FTP is designed to be a common method for transferring files between all different types of computers. This means that even though computers like Macs and PCs can be very different internally, they both use the same FTP system. This ensures that nothing can be lost in translation when transferring files between two very different computers.

Most web browsers support FTP, and many other programs have been written to handle FTP as well. These programs include FTP applications like FileZilla, ExpanDrive and WinSCP; file managers like Windows Explorer and Nautilus; and browser based applications such as NetStorage.

Novell NetStorage

Figure 1: Screenshot of Novell NetStorage

In order to make transferring files as easy as possible, the university uses a system called NetStorage. NetStorage is designed to make using FTP resemble moving files around on your computer. The university uses NetStorage to allow the transfer of files to and from your library account.

To access NetStorage go to ins.umanitoba.ca. From here you must login using your library account, then double click on the Home@INS folder in the centre of the page. This will bring you to the 'My Documents' folder for your library account. All of your files and folders should be listed.

Transferring files using NetStorage is very easy. To upload files to your library account, select Upload under the File menu. Then browse to the file you wish to upload and click the Upload button. To download files from your library account, check off all the files you wish to download, and select Download from the File menu.

Through NetStorage you also have the ability to perform many other tasks such as renaming and deleting files. Both of these options can be found under the File menu. You can also move files to different folders. Simply check off the files you wish to move and select Move under the Edit menu. Then navigate to the destination folder and select Paste from the Edit menu. You can also copy files in this way by selecting Copy rather than Move.

See http://umanitoba.ca/computing/ist/software/ftp/ the U of M information page on how to access campus computers through other FTP applications.

Dropbox

Dropbox is a free alternative to NetStorage that students can use to backup and transfer files. However, where NetStorage gives you access to your library account from home, Dropbox gives you access to the files on your home computer while at the university, or any other computer in the world. Dropbox is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.

Dropbox is designed primarily to backup your files. When you install Dropbox on your computer it creates a folder labelled 'Dropbox' in your home folder (that is the folder under your name; the one that contains the Documents, Pictures, Videos and Downloads folders). Anything you place in the 'Dropbox' folder will be backed up online automatically. If you install Dropbox on multiple computers and link them under the same Dropbox account, then anything placed in the 'Dropbox' folder on one computer will automatically be downloaded on all the other computers. Likewise, anything deleted or modified on one computer will be modified on the other computers as well.

Dropbox can be used as an alternative to NetStorage because anything backed-up by Dropbox can also be accessed online through the Dropbox website, dropbox.com. Simply browse to the website and login with your Dropbox account information in the upper-right corner. Through the website you can access your files stored at home while you are at the university. Dropbox can perform many of the same functions as NetStorage, such as deleting, renaming, copying and moving files and folders.

Further Reading

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_transfer_protocol - The Wikipedia article on FTP.

• http://www.dropbox.com/help - The Dropbox help page. Provides information on how to setup Dropbox and use its various features.

• http://umanitoba.ca/computing/ist/software/ftp/ - The U of M information page on how to access various computers through FTP.

References

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