First:

Obtain a login ID and/or password if needed.  If you are transferring files to or from Synthesis, you will need both.  These can be obtained by calling us.

Second:

Establish a connection to the internet.  This can be done through a modem or a Local Area Network depending on your circumstance.

Third:

If you are using Windows, open a window for a DOS prompt.  If you are using another system, you'll need a command line.  Change directories to where you would like to send the file(s) from, or to where you would like the transferred file to go on your computer.

Fourth:

Execute the file transfer.  Here are the steps from a sample.  The part you type is in BOLD, the rest is how the computer responds.  Use the Enter key after each entry.

At the command prompt, type this command.

C:\user> ftp ftp.synthx.com Enter

If you are connected correctly, you will get a response like:

Connected to ftp.synthx.com.
220 mis1.dirs.com FTP server (Version wu-2.4(1)) ready.
Name (ftp.synthx.com:eldon):

At this prompt, type in the LOGIN ID and hit Enter so it appears like:

Name (ftp.synthx.com:jonny): exampleID Enter

If it is correct the computer will respond:

331 Password required for exampleID.
Password:

You must then type in the password.
If it is correct the computer will respond:

230 User exampleID logged in.
ftp>

The new ftp> prompt will appear while you are in the FTP mode.  For best transfer, the binary command should be used -- especially if you are sending or retrieving a compressed (*.Z or *.zip) file.

ftp> binary Enter
200 Type set to I.

If you are interested in seeing the progress of the file as it is transferred, use the hash command.

ftp> hash Enter
Hash mark printing on (8192 bytes/hash mark).

To see a listing of what is currently in the directory of the FTP host, use the ls command.  The computer will then show a list of files like:

ftp> ls Enter
200 PORT command successful.
150 Opening ASCII mode data connection for file list.
example_1.zip
example_2.zip
example_3.tar.Z
#
226 Transfer complete.
25 bytes received in 0.027 seconds (0.92 Kbytes/s)

To retrieving a file use the GET command like this:

ftp> get example_2.zip Enter
200 PORT command successful.
150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for example_2.zip.
##########################
226 Transfer complete
90870 bytes sent in 12.31 seconds <7.38 Kbytes/sec>

To sending a file use the PUT command.  (The file you are sending must be in the directory where you started FTP.)

ftp> put example_4.zip Enter
200 PORT command successful.
150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for example_4.zip.
##########################
226 Transfer complete
90870 bytes sent in 12.25 seconds <7.42 Kbytes/sec>

To log off, simply type bye.

ftp> bye Enter
221 Goodbye.

As mentioned above, there are software utilities available to automate the FTP process.  One of the best for windows is WS_FTP .  Try it, they have a free demo you can download.