FTP Hosting Tutorials

Backing Up Files with FTP- If you have a website with critical data such as an ecommerce site, data redundancy is likely to be an important issue for you. This article discusses backing up files with FTP, and why you should back up files with FTP.

Data Redundancy Basics

Data redundancy refers to duplicate storage of valuable files. There are a number of methods of data redundancy. One can make a backup copy of a file automatically when the file is generated by choosing that as a preference, in programs like Microsoft Word, for example. One can also duplicate a file through the finder, copying and pasting it into the same or a different folder. One can download two instances of a file.

For greater security, one can create a backup on a separate partition or a separate drive. This type of backup can exist as a set of files or as a restore feature or both. For even greater security, multiple external drives can be used, and in addition, files could be located on drives in different premises for still greater safety. One example would be keeping a drive in a safe deposit box. Another would be uploading files to a remote server.

Taking Redundancy Into Your Own Hands

When you create a website, often it is built over time. Especially with a blog, seasonal merchandise or promotions on an ecommerce site, and other changes to keep your website fresh, data protection is key to the site’s operation. With a website, data redundancy is a feature that your webhost is likely to provide. This redundancy may start off with using a RAID system (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) that provides for restoration in case of disk failure. The redundancy system may also include redundant power, network equipment, climate control, and 24/7/365 monitoring, as well as off-site data centers.

But you can add to the security of your site by simply backing up files. There are often several ways to do this with the exact mechanisms likely to depend on your particular webhost.

Let’s take one example: BlueHost. For built-in site backup:

•　First, log in to your account.

•　Second, on your Control Panel, go to the section titled ‘Files.’

•　Next, choose backup or backup wizard, and make selections to create a full or partial backup of whatever material you want to download a copy of to your computer.

For FTP backup, your approach is different.

•　First, open your FTP client on your computer.

•　Second, select the protocol you wish to use. With many FTP clients, you will have a choice of:

��" FTP

��" FTP with TLS/SSL

��" SFTP

　and possibly others. To make your choice, consider these factors:

��"FTP is the most common, but least secure, protocol. It sends your password in the clear and cannot encrypt your data.

��"FTP with TLS/SSL (also called FTPs) is the same FTP protocol, but more secure because it uses Secure Sockets Layer or, better yet, Transport Layer Security, giving you the ability to encrypt your password at minimum and all your data, if desired. The one catch is that the server you’re connecting to has to be compatible with the protocol.

��"SFTP is a completely different protocol from the previous two mentioned, although the name would lead you to believe otherwise. The security of this file transfer protocol relies on SSH (Secure SHell) and, like FTPs, allows for you to have your authentication and, if you wish, your data encrypted.

• Third, fill in the address, username, and password, and connect to the server.

• Fourth, select the files from your website that you wish to back up using FTP, and the destination, and start the download. A progress bar will likely be available to show you both the size of the download and how it is progressing.

•　Fifth, when the download has completed, disconnect and close your FTP client.

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