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documentation.suse.com / SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Documentation / GNOME User Guide / Connectivity, Files and Resources / gFTP: Transferring Data from the Internet
Applies to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP5

9 gFTP: Transferring Data from the Internet

gFTP is a multithreaded file transfer client. It supports the FTP, FTPS (control connection only), HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, and FSP protocols. Furthermore, it allows the transfer of files between two remote FTP servers via FXP. To start gFTP, click Applications › Internet › gFTP.

gFTP—Main Window
Figure 9.1: gFTP—Main Window

9.1 ASCII Compared to Binary Transfers

There are two common ways of transferring files via FTP: ASCII and binary. ASCII mode transfers files as text. ASCII files are .txt, .asp, .html, and .php files, for example. Binary mode transfers files as raw data. Binary files are .wav, .jpg, .gif, and mp3 files, for example.

To change the transfer mode, click the FTP menu and select Binary or Ascii.

When transferring ASCII files from Linux/Unix to Windows or vice versa, open the Preferences dialog by clicking FTP › Preferences. Switch to the FTP tab and select Transfer Files in ASCII Mode to ensure that newline characters are correctly converted. This option will automatically be disabled in Binary mode.

9.2 Connecting to a Remote Server

To connect to a remote server, do the following:

  1. Click Remote › Open Location.

  2. Specify a URL to connect to and click Connect.

  3. Specify your user name and click Connect. Then specify your password and click Connect. To connect anonymously, leave the user name blank.

  4. If the connection is successful, the right part of the gFTP window lists files from the remote computer. The file listing on the left side continues to show files from your local computer. You can now upload and download files via drag and drop or by using the arrow buttons.

To bookmark a site you access frequently, click Bookmarks › Add Bookmark. Specify a name for the bookmark, then click Add. The new bookmark is added to your list of bookmarks.

9.3 Transferring Files

In the following figure, the file list on the right contains the remote server's directory of files. The file list on the left side contains your local computer's directory of files (on your hard disk or network).

gFTP File Transfer
Figure 9.2: gFTP File Transfer

To download files, select the files you want to download in the remote list of files, then click the arrow button pointing to the left. The progress of each download is listed in the field in the middle of the window. If the transfer is successful, the files appear in the directory listing on the left.

To upload a file, select the files you want to upload in your local directory listing on the left, then click the arrow button pointing to the right. The progress of each download is listed in the field in the middle of the window. If the transfer is successful, the files appear in the remote directory listing on the right.

To modify preferences for your downloads, select FTP › Preferences from the menu.

9.4 Setting Up an HTTP Proxy Server

To set up an HTTP proxy server, do the following:

  1. From the menu, select FTP › Preferences, then select the FTP tab.

  2. Enter the Proxy hostname and Proxy port. If applicable, also provide your login credentials for the proxy server. Choose a proxy type from the Proxy Server Type drop-down box.

  3. Click the HTTP tab, and enter the same proxy server information in the dialog as described above. Port numbers for FTP and HTTP proxy may differ.

  4. Click OK.

9.5 For More Information

You can find more information about gFTP at http://www.gftp.org.