Windows XP/7 : Add an FTP Client
For ALL Users
Updated 2012-09-28 FR @ 06:28 EST (UT-4)
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The goal is to add an FTP client that communicates with outside FTP servers through the Broward Schools network. The chosen client is "Cyberduck", a "freeware" FTP client which also supports WebDav and other protocols and which has both Macintosh and Windows versions.

This arrangement is needed where the student must use technologies such as PHP for server-side scripting as part of a course of study and the owner of the web site does not want to give the student total control over the site (as would be the case if the student had the master ID and password for the site). If the student also needs a database, this can be implemented by creating a login to the student's database and modifying the database through a server-side program such as PHPadmin or similar.

Note that there must be a properly configured FTP server with appropriate FTP accounts set up for each student at some external site. At present, this writeup assumes that the FTP server is in the "bee-man.us" domain. In addition, the teacher of the course and school IT personnel should be aware and make the students aware that the student's work will be visible to the world, and care should be taken not to identify the student involved.

Cyberduck is available at: cyberduck.ch.

To add Cyberduck to a network-connected PC, perform the following steps. You must be logged in to the computer as an administrator!

  1. Go to cyberduck.ch and download the Windows client. This should be stored on the X drive of an administrator with permissions adequate to install the program on school PCs.
  2. On the computer needing the installation, log on as the administrator having the Cyberduck installer file on the X drive.
  3. Double-click the installer file and follow the directions for installation.
  4. When the installation is completed, log off the client computer.
Each student user must perform the following steps to enable proper use of Cyberduck with the server and client computer to be used.
  1. Log on to the client PC with the student's network credentials.
  2. Double-click the Cyberduck client.
  3. The following actions will probably only be needed the first time the user uses Cyberduck:
    1. When the browser appears, click the "Edit" menu, then "Preferences".
    2. Click "Connections" in the upper strip of icons.
    3. Text encoding should be set to "UTF8".
    4. Under "Proxies" uncheck "Use System Proxy Settings". If you fail to do this, the FTP connection will not work.
    5. Dismiss "Preferences".
  4. In "Quick Connect" type "ftp.bee-man.us".
  5. Click "Open Connection".
  6. Choose "FTP".
  7. Server: "ftp.bee-man.us".
  8. Anonymous Login should be unchecked.
  9. Uncheck "Save Password".
  10. Username: username_for_your_connection.
  11. Password: password_for_your_connection.
  12. Click "Connect".
  13. Choose to use an unsecured connection. (I am working to fix this.)
  14. (You may choose "Don't Show Again" if you wish.)
  15. FTP Choices appear in the browser.
  16. Go about your work. Files may now be copied from your computer to the server or vice-versa.

- Bob Beeman.