WEB HOSTINGModule 3: File Transfers

INTRODUCTIONIf you build a site from scratch you will need to upload your files to your hosting account. You can do this via cPanel, but it is more common to use File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

FTP Software lets you drag and drop files from your computer onto your server. SFTP does the same thing, but with an added layer of security protecting your login credentials and content transferred.

Secure Shell (SSH) lets you access your server using command line software like Terminal. If you learn more advanced development you may use SSH along with version control software like Git.

MODULE OBJECTIVESUpon completion of this module, you should be able to:

• Define the File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

• Understand the difference between FTP and SFTP.

• Recognize the SSH protocol.• Apply your knowledge to create a

repository on GitHub and upload files via SFTP.

FTP

FTP is an acronym for File Transfer Protocol. As the name suggests, FTP is used to transfer files between computers on a network. You can use FTP to exchange files between computer accounts, transfer files between an account and a desktop computer, or access online software archives. Keep in mind, however, that many FTP sites are heavily used and require several attempts before connecting.

SFTP

The SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), also known as the Secure File Transfer Protocol, enables secure file transfer capabilities between networked hosts. Unlike the Secure Copy Protocol (SCP), SFTP additionally provides remote file system management functionality, allowing applications to resume interrupted file transfers, list the contents of remote directories, and delete remote files.

The command-line secure file transfer program (sftp) and graphical SFTP clients, such as WinSCP and Fetch, use SSH2 encryption to authenticate and establish secure channels between networked hosts. Although SFTP clients are functionally similar to FTP clients, they employ different protocols; consequently, you cannot use a standard FTP client to connect to an SFTP server.

SFTP SOFTWARE

The term SFTP can also refer to Secure file transfer program, a command-line program that implements the client part of this protocol. As an example, the sftp program supplied with OpenSSH implements this.

Some implementations of the scp program support both the SFTP and SCP protocols to perform file transfers, depending on what the server supports.

SFTP CLIENT SFTP SERVER SFTP PROXY

SFTP SOFTWARE

Some FTP server implementations implement the SFTP protocol, however, outside of dedicated file servers, SFTP protocol support is usually provided by an SSH server implementation, as it shares the default port of 22 with other SSH services. SFTP implementations may include an SSH protocol implementation to leverage integration of SSH connection details with preexisting FTP server access controls, where an alternative SSH server is tolerable or where alternative ports may be used. An SSH2 server which supports subsystems may be leveraged to keep a uniform SSH implementation while enhancing access controls with third party software, at the cost of fine-grained integration with connection details, and SSH1 compatibility.

SFTP CLIENT SFTP SERVER SFTP PROXY

SFTP SOFTWARE

It is difficult to control SFTP transfers on security devices at the network perimeter. There are standard tools for logging FTP transactions, like TIS fwtk or SUSE FTP proxy, but SFTP is encrypted, rendering traditional proxies ineffective for controlling SFTP traffic.There are some tools that implement man-in-the-middle for SSH which also feature SFTP control. Examples of such a tool are Shell Control Box from Balabit and CryptoAuditor from SSH Communications Security (the original developer of the Secure Shell protocol) which provides functions such as SFTP transaction logging and logging of the actual data transmitted on the wire.

SFTP CLIENT SFTP SERVER SFTP PROXY

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

Which of the following statements are true about SFTP?

SFTP is less secure than FTP

SFTP protocol support is usually provided by an SSH server implementation

Enables secure file transfer capabilities between networked hosts

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

Which of the following statements is true about SFTP?

SFTP is more secure than FTP

SFTP protocol support is usually provided by an SSH server implementation

Enables secure file transfer capabilities between networked hosts

SFTP is more secure than FTP

SECURE SHELLSecure Shell (SSH) is a cryptographic network protocol for operating network services securely over an unsecured network. The best known example application is for remote login to computer systems by users.

SSH provides a secure channel over an unsecured network in a client-server architecture, connecting an SSH client application with an SSH server.Common applications include remote command-line login and remote command execution, but any network service can be secured with SSH. The protocol specification distinguishes between two major versions, referred to as SSH-1 and SSH-2.

The most visible application of the protocol is for access to shell accounts on Unix-like operating systems, but it sees some limited use on Windows as well. In 2015, Microsoft announced that they would include native support for SSH in a future release.

GITHUB

You may have heard that GitHub is a code sharing and publishing service, or that it’s a social networking site for programmers. Both statements are true, but neither explain exactly why GitHub is special.

At the heart of GitHub is Git, Git is a “version control system,” what’s that mean? When developers are creating something (an application, for example), they are making constant changes to the code and releasing new versions, up to and after the first official (non-beta) release.

Version control systems keep these revisions straight, and store the modifications in a central repository. This allows developers to easily collaborate, as they can download a new version of the software, make changes, and upload the newest revision. Every developer can see these new changes, download them, and contribute.

REPOSITORY

A repository is a location where all the files for a particular project are stored, usually abbreviated to “repo.” Each project will have its own repo, and can be accessed by a unique URL.

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

True or False:Github allows you to store projects and share them with other people.

True

False

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

True or False:Github allows you to store projects and share them with other people.

True

False

cPANEL FILE MANAGEMENT

The File Manager allows you to manage your site through HTTP rather than an FTP tool or other third-party application. You can upload, create or delete files, organize files in folders and change file permissions. While not as sophisticated as most FTP tools, File Manager gives you all the basic functionality necessary to manage your site.

cPANEL FILE MANAGEMENTcPanel file management tools provides a great solution for keeping your information organized.

File Backups

The backup tool allows the user to save specific directories of the website which can be downloaded onto a users computer. In the event of a website failure or issue, the user can upload the backup files and restore the website to its previous state.

Users can download the entire home directory, MySQL database, email forwarders and filters.

cPANEL FILE MANAGEMENTcPanel file management tools provides a great solution for keeping your information organized.

Backup Wizard

This easy-to-use tool provides a step-by-step way for website owners to create backups, as well restoring backup files. This feature is used much in the same way as the backup manager

where full or partial file restores can be completed.

cPANEL FILE MANAGEMENTcPanel file management tools provides a great solution for keeping your information organized.

File Manager

This updated File Manager has the same features as the Legacy File Manager, except included is a WYSIWYG HTML editor. This allows website owners to quickly make simple

modifications to website files. The File Manager also has an updated look and feel which makes navigating the server even

easier.

cPANEL FILE MANAGEMENTcPanel file management tools provides a great solution for keeping your information organized.

Legacy File Manager

This older Legacy File Manager is for those who are comfortable with the older cPanel File Manager. This tool

allows the user to access the server from any computer and location. The easy to use interface has the options to create

new files and folders, upload and download files, delete, rename, copy, move, change permissions, and edit files and

folders.

cPANEL FILE MANAGEMENTcPanel file management tools provides a great solution for keeping your information organized.

Web Disk

Web Disk lets website owners and users access files on their server as if they were located on their computer. This makes it easier for users who are uncomfortable using the File Manager

or an FTP program to make changes to their server files.

cPANEL FILE MANAGEMENTcPanel file management tools provides a great solution for keeping your information organized.

Disk Space Usage

This is a useful tool for viewing where data is most concentrated. If there is a problem with disk space, the

graphical results page quickly shows where the most disk space is being used. Whether it is email, main web folder, or

even the size that databases are taking up.

cPANEL FILE MANAGEMENTcPanel file management tools provides a great solution for keeping your information organized.

FTP Account Management

cPanel lets the user create multiple FTP accounts. The FTP creation tool lets the website owner define levels of access,

set transfer quotas, modify passwords, and provides configuration files that lets a user use third party FTP clients.

cPANEL FILE MANAGEMENTcPanel file management tools provides a great solution for keeping your information organized.

FTP Session Control

With multiple FTP users, a website owner can become overwhelmed and not know who is accessing server at any

given time. The FTP Session Control tools provides a way for website owners to see who is currently accessing the server. The website owner can see which user is currently logged in,

their IP address they are connected from, the login time, status, view Process ID, and manually disconnect a user.

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

The tool that allows you to see which user is currently logged in is…

Disk space usage

FTP Session control

FTP Accounts

Legacy File Manager

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

Which hosting would you recommend for a low-traffic personal website?

The FTP Session Control tools provides a way for website

owners to see who is currently accessing the server

Disk space usage

FTP Session control

FTP Accounts

Legacy File Manager

PRACTICE TASK

Take some time to research and complete this task.

1. Upload and update files using S/SFTP

2. Access your site using SSH

3. Setup a Github repo and push it to your site

CONGRATULATIONS!You should now be able to:

• Define the File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

• Understand the difference between FTP and SFTP.

• Recognize the SSH protocol.• Apply your knowledge to create a

repository on GitHub and upload files via SFTP.