Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between a folder and a directory?
Most computer users tend to use talk about the 'folders' on their hard disk, while FTP programs usually describe them as 'directory'. But the terms folder or directory are pretty much interchangeable.

What is "root directory"?
The top-most directory on the FTP Server.

What is "anonymous"?
Some FTP sites are open to anyone, others offer restricted access only.
All FTP sites require you to log on, but so-called 'Anonymous' sites don't require a specific username and password, so anyone can use them.

FTP Now doesn't work properly, what's wrong?
FTP Now requires Internet Explorer 5.0 or above, please download and install the latest version of Internet Explorer.

FTP Now seems to hang for a long time, when connecting to a FTP server, what's wrong?
You probably specified a very long timeout in the Tools->Options->Connections setting.
Make sure Connection Timeout is not set too long (FTP Now doesn't response, because it's waiting for data from the FTP server).

I can connect to the server, but I can't see any files.
Try connecting using PASV mode (Site Manager).

What is "PASV mode"?
The FTP protocol has 2 modes, PORT (also called "regular" or "normal" mode) and PASV ("passive" mode).
The FTP client determines the mode that will be used. If the client issues a PORT command, it is attempting "PORT" mode. If the client issues a PASV command, it is attempting "PASV" mode.
PASV mode forces the client-server data connection to be established by the client, rather than the server (which is the default). PASV mode is required for users who are behind a router-based firewall.

Details:
In PORT and PASV mode the FTP session uses two port numbers.
The first port number is allocated on the server (default: port 21). This is referred to as the "Control or Command Channel".

If the client sends a PORT command, which contains the client IP address and (the second) allocated port number.
Then the FTP server connects to this port to send the data (referred to as the "Data Channel").
Client:      PORT 127,0,0,1,12,82
Server:      200 Port command successful.

If the client sends a PASV command, then the FTP server responds back to the client with a port number that it has allocated.
In this case the "Data Channel" connection is created by the client to the IP Address and port number provided by the FTP server.
Client:      PASV
Server:      227 Entering Passive Mode (127,0,0,1,12,251).

How can I backup the user account information?
Copy the file sites.xml to a save place. This file can be found in the FTP Now installation folder.

If you are having problems with FTP Now and have not found any information related to your problems in this FAQ/Help, please contact Network-Client.com.