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How to FTP using FileZilla with Nexcess

Let’s look at what FTP is, how Nexcess supports the process, then how to install and use FileZilla to transfer files. By reading this article, you will know how to FTP using FileZilla with Nexcess.
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As a website owner, you can use File Transfer Protocol (FTP) to accomplish many things, such as uploading files to your website.

You can simplify many file-related tasks using an FTP client like FileZilla, since the software is generally more user-friendly than other modes of file transfer.

Setting up FTP using FileZilla with Nexcess

Let’s look at what FTP is, how Nexcess supports the process, then how to install and use FileZilla to transfer files. When you’re done reading this article you will know how to FTP using FileZilla with your Nexcess hosting account.

FileZilla setup

  1. Go to FileZilla-Project.org — on that page, download the FileZilla client.
  2. When you click download, you’ll see various operating system (OS) options, including Windows, OSx (for Macs, version 10), and Linux. Select the option that’s relevant to your computer.  
  3. Now, you’ll be asked to choose a FileZilla FTP client edition. Choose basic FileZilla, with or without the PDF manual. Note that FileZilla Pro and FileZilla Pro + CLI are premium options.
  4. After the download has finished, open the .exe file.
  5. After setting the necessary permissions, read the license agreement and select I Agree if you wish to proceed.
  6. The setup will give you an optional offer. You can accept or decline — either way, click Next.
  7. After assigning user privileges, move to the next step again. Then, choose the relevant components you wish to install and click Next.
  8. After choosing your destination folder, go to the next step. You’ll see a loading bar. When your setup is complete, you’ll see the following:
This screen indicates a completed setup of the FileZilla FTP client.

 

After you click Finish, the FileZilla FTP client should open automatically. If the FileZilla software program doesn’t open by default, please access it wherever you’ve stored it on your computer.

  1. After FileZilla opens, your first task is to set up FTP using FileZilla. Go to File > Site Manager. 
  2. You’ll need your FTPS credentials from the Nexcess Client Portal For your Site Manager setup.
  3. In FileZilla, select New Site.
  4. Use the Encryption dropdown menu to select Use Explicit FTP over TLS if available since this is what Nexcess uses.
  5. Enter the host name (called Hostname on the Nexcess dashboard), port number, user (Username on the Nexcess dashboard), and password from your Nexcess FTP credentials into FileZilla. Specifically, the fields are Host, Port, User, and Password.
  6. After you’ve entered these details, click Connect.
  7. After you connect, select Always Trust this Host in the popup. The following image shows the complete setup of FTP using FileZilla:
This is a complete FTP setup using FileZilla.

 

Now that you know how to FTP using FileZilla (and the corresponding setup steps) look around the program to see how it can improve your ongoing website maintenance activities.

For SFTP-based file transfers with the FileZilla client, see the guide on transferring files to a server with SFTP.

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