Filezilla - General Knox Use

What is Filezilla?  Why Filezilla?

Filezilla is a File Transfer Program (FTP).   For the purpose of the college, this program has several advantages:

• It works the same across Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• It is well maintained and is updated frequently.
• It's free!

How do I obtain and install Filezilla?

If not already installed on your computer, you may download the program from this website: Filezilla Download.  
Once dowloaded, simply double-click on the icon and follow the prompts to install Filezilla.

Using Filezilla Quickconnect to access CX

Locate and launch Filezilla (You should find the Filezilla FTP Client Folder from your Start Menu in All Programs).

Then at the top "Quickconnet" menu:

• for Host: type in sftp://cx.knox.edu
• Username: Type in your *CX (CARS) *username 
• Password and your CX (CARS) password

You should now be connected to the CX system.

You will see your CX folders on the Remote Site side of the panes of the Filezilla window

Your local computer will be on the "Local Site" side of the panes of the Filezilla window

The next time you use Filezilla

• Launch the Filezilla program
• Under Server click Reconnect - or - 
• Click the down arrow to the right of Quickconnect 
• Select your username (sftp://username@cx.knox.edu)

Transferring Files

Transferring files is simply a matter of dragging files from one window to the other.

Using Site Manager to access CX

Using the Site Manager allows for greater control of the connection.  While not necessarily needed for a CX connection, these additional settings may be of use for other FTP sites commonly used by a given end-user.

To Use the Site Manager

1. On Filezille menu bar, click on File.
2. Click on Site Manager
3. Click on New Site.
4. Enter the name of the new site - CX in this case.
5. Enter the following information:
   1. Host:  cx.knox.edu
   2. Protocol: SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol
   3. Username: Your CX (CARS) username
   4. Password: Your CX (CARS) password 
   5. Click OK to save the site.

To launch a site using the Site Manager

1. On Filezille menu bar, click on File.
2. Click on Site Manager
3. Click on the desired site.
4. Click Connect.
5. You should now be connected to the desired site.

Converting Quickconnect session a Site

Filezilla has a feature to convert a Quickconnect session to a Site.  This is a nice feature as it allows for the rarely used sites to be saved.  

To covert Quickconnect session to a Site

1. On Filezille menu bar, click on File.
2. Copy current Connection to Site Manager
3. The current connection data will be copied into the Site Manager and the Site Manager will open.
4. Give the Site a Name
5. Adjust other settings as needed (you will rarely need to do so).
6. Click OK to save the site.

Using Bookmarks

Filezilla bookmarks allow you to save a given setup of directory views for a combination of a Local Site and a Remote site.  Bookmarks work best after using the Site Manager to connect to a remote server.  For example, let's say you have a "CX Downloads" directory on your C: drive  - your "Local Site" and you want to view your CX account on the Remote side.  You may setup a bookmark that when clicked, will automatically reset both the Local and Remote sides to this desired configuration.

To create a bookmark:

1. Open the Local Site to the desired local, e.g. C:\CX Downloads
2. Open the Remote side to that desired location, e.g. /home/carsids/rmdavis
3. On the Filezilla Menu click Bookmarks.
4. Click Add Bookmark.
5. Set the type to Global
6. Typo a name for the Bookmark - something meaningful:  CXDownloads_to_/home/carsids/rmdavis
7. Click OK.
8. Test by moving to a different directory on the Local Site side.
9. Now click Bookmarks.
10. At the bottom of the list you should be able to see and click on the newly created bookmark.  
11. You should now see both the Local and Remote directories as you set in the bookmark.