ftp instructions
How to use 'anonymous ftp' to and from ANSTO
Ftp is an internet protocol used to transfers files between machines connected by some form of network connection. The user interface to this protocol is via a client program usually called 'ftp', although various other names are used for enhanced programs. It is also common for a browser (such as Netscape or Internet Explorer) to be used to access files via the ftp protocol. Anonymous ftp is the term used to describe accessing files remotely where no authentication of the user is required. Files can be transferred using email attachments, but this method is only suitable for relatively small files as many ISP's and organisations impose severe limitations on the maximum size of email messages. Thus for transfer of large files users should use ftp. There are 2 authentication models available for ftp usage:
- No authentication - the user typically logs onto the remote computer using user name anonymous and user's email address as the password, and
- Authenticated - the user requires an account and password on the remote computer and these must be provided upon connection before access is granted.
ANSTO provides access using both of these models. This page describes usage of the 'No Authentication' (or anonymous) ftp model. If you have a requirement to use the authenticated model, then communicate privately with your contacts at ANSTO and ask them to organise the appropriate account setup.
Anonymous FTP access from the Internet
ANSTO's externally visible anonymous ftp server is ftp.ansto.gov.au. After connecting to this machine you will see directories incoming and outgoing. The incoming directory is intended for uploading files to ANSTO, and is the only directory where writes are permitted. Downloads from this directory are prohibited. The outgoing directory is intended for downloading files from ANSTO.
It is important to note that directory listings of both of these directories are suppressed, so users will not be able to browse the contents.
Consult the documentation on your ftp specific ftp program for directions on usage.
Access via a browser
Files may be downloaded from the outgoing area using a URL of the form:
ftp://ftp.ansto.gov.au/outgoing/filename
As noted above you will not be able to browse the contents of either the incoming or outgoing areas with your browser. Your contact at ANSTO will provide you with the filename of any files intended for you.
Uploading files to ANSTO
Use your ftp or browser program to upload files to ANSTO, and communicate privately with your ANSTO contacts to inform them of the filenames uploaded.
Files should be placed in the incoming directory, or for browser access us a URL of the form:
ftp://ftp.ansto.gov.au/incoming/filename
File naming rules
The ftp server imposes strict naming rules on files to be placed into both the incoming and outgoing directories. If these rules are not adhered to then the files will not be accessible by the intended recipients. The rules are:
- The first character of a file name must be alphabetic (upper or lower case). ,/li>
- Subsequent characters of file names may be alphabetic (upper or lower case), digits 0 through 9, underscore (_), dash (-), or period (.)
or more formally put (for those familiar with regular expression notation):
^[A-Za-z][-A-Za-z0-9_\.]*
In particular note that blanks (spaces) in file names will create problems for the recipient