As a dedicated hosting customer, you will have the ability to connect to your cPanel account using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP allows you to upload and download files from your server to your local PC. In this article, we will go over the basics of FTP so you can feel comfortable using it with your dedicated server.
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What is FTP?
FTP is short for File Transfer Protocol. It is used to upload and download (transport) files from your hosting server to another device, such as your home PC. It is an efficient way to transfer your files because it allows you to move multiple files at once. You can even move entire folders along with all the files and other folders that it contains.
Connecting to the server with FTP requires an application commonly referred to an FTP client. There are standalone program such as FileZilla or CyberDuck to help you do this. Some web design programs also have the ability to connect via FTP, such as DreamWeaver. All programs that connect to the server using FTP will need the same credentials.
FTP credentials
When connecting to your server using FTP, you will need to have the proper credentials. The table below shows the four credentials needed to connect.
| Hostname | The hostname is what the program will use to find the server. The hostname can be either a domain name, an IP address, or the server name. Here are a few examples:
Note: – If your domain is not yet pointed to us, you will need to use either the server’s hostname or the IP address to connect with FTP. |
|---|---|
| Username | The default FTP user for a cPanel account uses the cPanel username. You can find your cPanel username in your AMP technical details. |
| Password | The password for a default FTP account is the cPanel password. |
| Port | This is the port used to connect to your server with FTP. By default, the port is 21. SFTP is also allowed on dedicated servers and will use port 22. |
Finding your FTP Settings in cPanel
If you are unsure of your exact FTP settings, you can find them within your cPanel.
- Log into your cPanel.
- Click on the FTP Accounts section, located in the Files category.
- Locate the Special FTP Accounts section and find the account with your cPanel username (with the person icon). Click on the Configure FTP Client link to the right.
Except for the password, all FTP credentials for that account will be displayed.
FTP Client Programs
Most often you will use an FTP client program to connect to your server with FTP. There are many different clients out on the web. While the same credentials will be needed to connect no matter which one you choose, the individual layouts and steps may be different. Here we have links to articles on connecting to some of the more popular FTP clients.
| CuteFTP |
| FileZilla |
| SmartFTP |
| WS_FTP |
| CyberDuck |
FTP Connection with FileZilla Quick Connect
FileZilla is one of the most popular FTP clients on the web. Here we guide you on how to connect to your server with FTP using the Quick Connect method.
- Open the FileZilla FTP client.
Enter your connection credentials in the Quick Connect bar. This is located at the top of the FileZilla window.
If you need your FTP credentials, look at the section above on where to find them.Click the Quickconnect button. In the top window you should see a successful connection message.
If you wish to set up FileZilla to save your connection information, see our full FileZilla guide.
Now you are able to move your files to your public_html folder by dragging and dropping them within the FileZilla.
I successfully downloaded all files-what next for me to do?
That depends– why did you download the files? Do you just want to have them as a backup or are you trying to do something specific?