If we are managing a website then we often need to access our server for uploading or deleting files. This can be either done through the CPanel provided by our hosting provider or through tools like FileZilla. This process of accessing the server for the transfer of files is done through a method known as File Transfer Protocol (FTP). In this guide, I will explain in detail about FTP access to our server through the FTP client FileZilla. This is one of the most powerful and popular FTP tool used across the globe. Other popular FTP clients available are Cyberduck and CoreFTP. Now let us see the detailed steps to use FileZilla for accessing our server.
Step1: Go to the official website of FileZilla and download the latest version of the tool.
Step2: Run the installer and complete the installation process.
Step3: For accessing our server through FileZilla we need four input parameters. They are Host, Username, Password and Port number. We can obtain this information from the CPanel of our hosting provider. Simply search for the term FTP to view the FTP Accounts.
Click the FTP Accounts icon to view the details.
Here we have a link to configure the FTP server. Just click on this link and all our required FTP details except password are displayed.
Copy these credentials and save it somewhere safe. We should not share these credentials with anyone as FTP access can be used to modify or delete files from our server.
Step4: Now open FileZilla. On the topmost panel enter the hostname which is the FTP server name that we have copied before. The username and FTP port number are also available to us from the previous data. The password is the same as our CPanel access password. After entering these credentials correctly click the Quick Connect button.
Now FileZilla will establish a connection with our server. The tool will also display a success message at the top pane.
Filezilla will now display the server directory on the right pane under the Remote Site section.
Step5: Now now we can upload a file to our server through this tool. I am trying to upload a text file to the public_html folder on our server. Select the file from our computer on the left pane under Local Site. Right-click on the file and a new menu bar with an upload option will appear.
Just click upload on this menu and our upload process will start. The Successful transfers tab at the bottom will show a success message once the transfer is complete. Now we can view this file under the remote site section of the tool.
Step6: Now let us learn how to delete a file from our server using this tool. Here I am going to delete this text file that we have just uploaded. Right-click on the file on the right pane and a new menu with delete option will appear. Just click on the delete option of this menu.
A confirmation popup will appear.
Once we confirm the action the deletion process will start.
Step7: Let us also see how we can download a file from our server to our computer using FileZilla. Right-click on the file we want to download. A menu with a download option will appear. Just click on this download option to download the file
The Successful transfers tab at the bottom will display a success message after the download.
Thus by using FileZilla, we have successfully uploaded, deleted and downloaded a file from our hosting server.
Note: The CPanel is another easy option available to us to access our server. I have already covered the CPanel server access method as a part of this blog. CPanel is more user-friendly as compared to FileZilla and hence is a better option for non-tech-savvy site owners.
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