What is an FTP Client?
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) clients are software that is used to access folders and files on a server, and move new folders and files between TownNews servers and your computer.
SFTP is short for Secure File Transfer Protocol and is a method of transferring files between computers over a secure SSH data stream. SFTP is more secure than the traditional FTP.
You will need an FTP/SFTP client. TownNews does not endorse any third-party FTP clients, but most should be compatible with BLOX CMS, including FileZilla.
Most BLOX sites will have an FTP account for /html/app/. This directory is where any third party applications or non-UTL web development by the customer will reside.
Note: You will need an FTP account. You can manage the accounts for your website through Settings / FTP Manager. If you do not have access to Settings / FTP Manager, or have questions about managing your FTP account, please contact Customer Support.
Hostnames
When accessing a BLOX site via SFTP or FTP, you should use one of the following depending on which datacenter your site is hosted on, and which protocol you are using.
If you are unsure or have questions, please contact Customer Support.
Settings
- Site Name: Provides a name to save this account so you don't have to retype this information every time you wish to log in.
- Host Name: Input the proper hostname based on the options in Hostnames above..
- Username: 4- or 5-digit number supplied to you by TownNews. You may NOT request a specific user name as this ID number is supplied by our software.
- Password: Will also be supplied to you by TownNews. You MAY request a specific password.
- Port Number: If you are using FTP then use port 21. If you are using SFTP use port 122.
- PASV: 'Passive' should be checked. If you are using SFTP then SSH/SFTP should also be checked. Do not Use Proxy.
- Log In: After you have saved your settings you can log in.
Username/Password
If you are a new customer, username and passwords for your FTP accounts should be provided by your Project Manager towards the end of the site setup process.
If you are not a new customer and do not have your username and/or password, you can submit a ticket at support.townnews.com and be given the username and have the password reset.
You can also manage your own FTP accounts for your website through Settings / FTP Manager.
FileZilla Setup
FileZilla is one of the most popular FTP clients. It is currently available as a free download for both MacOS and Windows at the following link:
To setup a Connection within FileZilla, in the top - left, click on File and click on Site Manager.
In Site Manager, You need to name your site first in order to activate the rest of the site account properties that you'll need to set. Then, under General, enter the following fields accordingly.
- Host Name of your site.
- Enter Port number 122.
- Enter SFTP option for the Protocol.
- Set the Logon Type to Normal.
- Enter your BloxCMS Admin Username and Password.
Under Advanced, set the following:
- Server Type - set to Default.
- Click on Browse to set your Local Directory.
- Enter the Remote Directory path. To find this, the path will be /sites/first letter of your site domain name/second letter of your site domain name/domain name/html. If you are setting up a feed for a feed, add in the additional directory path (ie: /data/feeds).
- For Transfering Settings and Charset, the default settings can remain to be set.
