FTP is a great way to upload and download data, particularly for Windows and Mac OS X users.
There are a number of purpose built FTP packages, including FileZilla, CuteFTP, and CyberDuck, as well as backup-specific FTP software, such as SyncBack. Additionally, most commercial backup software (perhaps the software you already use)
supports backing up to a remote server via FTP.
Here is what you need to do to get connected:
Step I: Download & Install FTP Software
First, decide which software you want to use. You'll need to visit the developer's website (links are in the box above) and download the software. Once you've done that, install it on your system just like any other piece of software.
Once again, if you can't decide, we recommend using FileZilla for Windows and CyberDuck for Mac OS X.
Step II: Connect to BIPmedia
Once you have your software installed, configure it to connect to the remote BIPmedia server. The specifics vary with each program, but you'll want to find the 'Connect' menu item. Contact us if you have trouble.
Once you're there, it will ask you for your FTP server, a username, a password, and possibly a directory to login to. Here are the settings you'll need:
FTP Server: USERNAME.BIPmedia.com (e.g. jack.BIPmedia.com)
Username: Your BIPmedia Username (e.g. jack)
Password: Your BIPmedia Password
Directory: Optional. See below.
If you don't know any of these settings, check
your Welcome Email from BIPmedia or contact
us.
You can use the 'Directory' option to log into a specific sub-directory of your account. Directories are a bit like folders: you can use them to group related files together.
If you have an FTP Storage & Backup Plan, you can create multiple logins and restrict access to certain sub-directories. For example, if you wanted jane' to have access just to certain files, you could create a 'jane's files' subdirectory and then give her access just to those files.
(rsync/Linux Backup Plans do not include this feature).
Step III: Upload & Download Files
Once you're connected, you can upload and download files to/from your online storage space. The specifics again vary by program, but it usually just involves dragging the files from your computer to the FTP program window, and vice-versa.
As always, if you have any trouble, help is just a phone call or email away.