WHAT IS FTP?
FTP (File Transfer Protocol): The protocol used on the Internet for exchanging files. FTP is most commonly used to download a file from a server (host) using the Internet or to upload files to a host.
DETERMINE YOUR HOST FTP PROCEDURES
Check with your Website hosting service and determine your URL, obtain their FTP instructions, i.e. FTP address, user/profile name and password. This information is required for the upload procedure.
HOW DOES FTP UPLOAD WORK WITH THESAURUS ACCOUNTS?
Thesaurus Accounts provides the function within the software to indicate the remote address, desired destination directory, to which to connect to your host, or server in order to upload a back up file to be stored remotely.
The user must firstly back up the accounts and then transfer this backup file to the remote site using the FTP function, it is not possible for the user to instruct the software to take a backup to the remote site all in one step.
BACK UP THESAURUS ACCOUNTS
In order to transfer the backup file you must first take a backup. This backup can be taken through the main menu:
File > Backup Company
Take the backup.
Once the accounts have been backed up successfully the user will be given the option to upload the backup via FTP on the original back up screen.
Simply click on the button FTP button.
SET UP YOUR HOST PROFILE WITHIN THESAURUS SOFTWARE
Name of File
Initially you must select the location of the backup on your PC directory that contains the backup file you wish to upload, (it’s just like copying files from one directory or folder on your PC to another).
This directory address is the directory to which you just saved the backup in the initial back up screen and should show automatically within the “Name of File” box, e.g. if the backup that you wish to upload was saved directly to the local disk C:/ into a folder called “Thesaurus Accounts Back Up” then the name of file box should reflect :
C:/thesaurusaccountsbackup/companyname.zip
Do not alter the back-up name which will always be the company name followed by the file extension ".zip", do not alter this back up file name to use additional file extension names.
Remote Address
Enter the host web address to which you are uploading, e.g. www.anywhere.com
Remote Folder
Enter the website folder name into which you wish to upload the file. Check your folder names, make sure your folder and file names are all in lower case letters, e.g. set up a folder called “thesaurusaccountsbackups”, otherwise, they will not work on UNIX based hosts. Don't use spaces or special characters in your folder or file names.
Passive Transfer
In most cases you can ignore Passive Mode and leave this ticked - unless your hosting service indicates otherwise.
Should a firewall interfere with the connection, the problem will most likely manifest during the upload stage. Only in these circumstances should the Passive transfer box be unticked. In many cases the firewall will not present any further problems.
Port
Most FTP programs are setup to use Port 21 so this is preset within Thesaurus Software as a default. Don't change this unless your hosting service indicates to use a different port.
User Name
Enter the user name or profile name assigned to you by your hosting service.
Password
Enter the password assigned to the user or profile account by the host server.
Upload
Select the upload option to transfer the files to your host.
Once the upload is successful the user will be given a successful message on screen.
Need help? Support is available at 01 8352074 or thesauruspayrollsupport@brightsg.com.
