Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up FTP with Cyberduck

Cyberduck is a popular open-source application used for FTP and SFTP file transfers on PC or Mac OS X. This guide will help you set up and use Cyberduck to connect to your FTP server.

Download and Install Cyberduck

Go to the Cyberduck website: Download a copy of Cyberduck from cyberduck.io.
Install the application: Follow the installation steps as prompted on your computer.

Prerequisites

Before you can connect via FTP using Cyberduck, you’ll need the following information:

Server name: Either your domain name (e.g., example.com) or your server's IP address.
Username: Your FTP username.
Password: Your FTP password.

Make sure these details are correct, as you won’t be able to connect without them.

Instructions to Set Up FTP in Cyberduck

Once Cyberduck is installed, follow these steps to create a bookmark and connect to your FTP server:

1. Create a New Bookmark

Open Cyberduck and click the "+" symbol at the bottom left of the window to create a new bookmark.

2. Enter the FTP Settings

In the bookmark setup window, fill in the following details:

Nickname: Give your connection a name, such as your domain (example.com) or server IP address.
Protocol: Choose FTP (File Transfer Protocol) for standard FTP or SFTP for a secure connection.
Server: Enter your domain name (example.com) or IP address.
Port:
- Use Port 21 for FTP.
- Use Port 22 for SFTP.
Username: Enter your FTP username, e.g., domainuser.

3. Adjust "More Options" Settings

Click on "More Options" and adjust the following settings:

Path (optional): Leave this as N/A unless you need to connect to a specific directory.
Connect Mode: Set to Passive for better compatibility with most networks.
Encoding: Leave as Default unless you have a specific encoding requirement.
Download Folder: Choose a folder on your local computer where files will be downloaded.
Transfer Files: Leave as Default for standard file transfer behaviour.
Web URL: Enter your website’s domain (example.com).

You can leave other options like Notes blank unless needed.

4. Save and Connect

Save the bookmark once all settings are entered.
To connect, double-click on the bookmark. Cyberduck will prompt you to enter your FTP password if it hasn't been saved.

Once connected, you can upload and download files easily between your server and your local computer.

Further Notes

Active vs. Passive Mode: Passive mode is recommended as it’s more firewall-friendly. Active mode may cause issues when trying to connect from behind certain routers or firewalls.
SFTP: If you want a more secure connection, use SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) instead of standard FTP. Simply select SFTP as the protocol and use Port 22.
Bookmarking: Using bookmarks saves you from having to re-enter your FTP credentials every time you connect, speeding up your workflow.

By following this guide, you should be able to set up Cyberduck and manage your FTP connections efficiently.