osCommerce - FTP

You will need an FTP client to install oscommerce. An FTP client allows you to upload the files directly to your server. There are several great ones out there both for free and a small fee. You can go to Download.com and type in FTP in the search box, where you will see many choices with reviews and cost. One of the ones that has been found to be easiest to use is Ipswitch, however, it is up to you as to which one you feel comfortable with.

An alternative to an FTP client is if you have Windows XP Professional, you can use your Network Control Panel (you may be able to do with other operating systems, however, in this example, we use Windows XP Pro. To use XP Pro to connect via FTP you will need to know your FTP login and password, which is given to you by your hosting company. Once you have that information:

• Either click (or double-click to open) your "My Network Places" icon on your desktop

  

• Once My Network Places opens, click on "Add a network place". A wizard will open up to walk you through the process.

  

• Click on Next

  

• Make sure "Choose another network connection" is selected and click Next.

  

• Here you will enter your hosting company's ftp address (again, provided by the hosting company). In this example it is ftp://web16.websitesource.net. Make sure you include the ftp:// in front of the address. For example the ftp address for this hosting company is web16.websitesource.net, however it won't work if you just enter that address, you must add the ftp://. Once you have entered the address, click Next.

  

• On the next screen "Log on anonymously" is selected. Make sure to uncheck that box and enter your username so you can access your site directory. Then click on Next.

  

• The next screen allows you to create a shortcut name for this connection. Choose something you will recognize it by, such as the name of your site, or you can leave it as the default, then click on Next.

  

• On the next screen, click Finish.

  

• Once you click on Finish, a window should pop-up requesting you to enter your ftp password and click on Log On.

Once you login successfully, you should see your ftp server in the address bar and any files or folders that are there, listed in the window. The screenshot in this example will not be the same as what you see as there are multiple domains associated with the account. You are now accessing the files and folders on your web server!