AFS File-Transfer: Windows Desktop

Which method should I use?

Below is a grid showing the current acceptable methods of publishing, posting, or transferring files over the Stanford network.

Note: Stanford no longer supports unsecure FTP. This means that some transfer programs and older versions of certain HTML editors (like Dreamweaver 4) that allowed hackers to steal passwords over the Internet will no longer work in the Stanford computing environment.

Publishing using OpenAFS (Windows)

This can be done by mounting the AFS folder you want directly on your computer, thereby creating a virtual connection to the network. This creates a folder, known as a "network folder," which you can use as you would any other Windows folder: you can create, name, move, copy, select, delete, rename, print, and search for AFS files and directories on your computer. You won't need to FTP or "Put" files when you want to publish them.

Note: OpenAFS for Windows is available for download on the OpenAFS at Stanford site. The Using Stanford OpenAFS for Windows page provides information about installing, mounting, permissions,and connecting/disconnecting with OpenAFS. Your menus and screens may look slightly different depending on your OS and desktop settings, but the selections are all the same.

1. Click Start and navigate to Programs > Stanford > OpenAFS > Stanford AFS Controller.
   (Alternatively, you can right-click the Stanford Desktop Tools icon in the bottom right of the screen and then click Mount AFS volume. )
    
2. If the Obtain AFS Token window is displayed, enter your SUNet ID and Password and then click OK.
   
   
    
3. When the Mount AFS Volume window is displayed, select My Home from the Mount Volume belonging to drop-down list box and then click Mount.
   
   
    
4. Your AFS home directory will automatically open in Windows Explorer and the directory will be added as a new drive. You can drag and drop files from your computer to this folder to publish them.
    
5. When you are done publishing you can close your volume's window, then exit the Mount AFS Volume window. Or, you can select the volume you have open from the Currently mounted volumes and then click Unmount.

Publishing using SecureFX (Windows)

SecureFX is a Windows application that allows users to securely transfer files between computers using a format called the SSH (Secure socket SHell) protocol. It is used to move HTML, graphic, and other files from personal computers to the server computers, which make them Web available.

The Stanford community can download and use SecureFX free of charge.

Note: You need a SUNet ID and password in order to download software at the Essential Stanford Software web site (ess.stanford.edu).

To download SecureFX:

1. Go to the SecureFX page.
    
2. Follow the instructions there for downloading a copy of SecureFX.
   Save the installer to the Desktop, so you can find it easily.
    
3. Once the file is downloaded, exit your browser.
    
4. On your desktop, find the installer file. Double-click it to run the installer.
    
5. SecureFX will install to your computer.
    

Using SecureFX to publish files to a personal web folder

1. Click the Start menu, point to Programs, point to SecureFX, and then click SecureFX.
    
2. The Stanford University server (cardinal.stanford.edu) may appear as a choice. Click cardinal.stanford.edu, and then click Connect.
   
   Note: If cardinal.stanford.edu is not present or you prefer to use another server, see Adding sessions on the Configuring SecureFX web page for instructions.
   
   
    
3. If the New Host Key dialog box is displayed, click Accept & Save to establish a secure connection to the server.
   
   
    
4. In the Username field, enter your SUNet ID and click OK.
   
   
   
    
5. In the Password field, enter your SUNet ID password and click OK.
   
   
    
6. Double-click the WWW folder (or single-click WWW, then under File, click Open).
   
   
    
7. On the File menu, click Manual Upload.
   
   
    
8. Click the [...] button (the button next to the From field).
   
   
    
9. Locate the file to be uploaded. Click the file name and then click Open.
   
   
    
10. In the Transfer type field, select ASCII if you are uploading a web page (.html file) or other plain text file (.txt).
    Select Binary if you are uploading anything else (graphics files, sound files, MS Word documents, PDF files, etc.).
    
    
     
11. Click OK to publish your file.

Using SecureFX to publish files to Group or Dept web folder

1. Click the Start menu, point to Programs, point to SecureFX, and then click SecureFX.
    
2. The Stanford University server (cardinal.stanford.edu) may appear as a choice. Click cardinal.stanford.edu, and then click Connect.
   
   Note: If cardinal.stanford.edu is not present or you prefer to use another server, see Adding Sessions on the Configuring SecureFX web page for instructions.
   
   
    
3. If the New Host Key dialog box is displayed, click Accept & Save to establish a secure connection to the server.
   
   
    
4. In the Username field, enter your SUNet ID and click OK.
   
   
   
    
5. In the Password field, enter your SUNet ID password and click OK.
   
   
    
6. On the File menu, click Change Directory.
   
   
    
7. Enter the folder path for your department or group web folder and click OK.
   (/afs/ir/dept/dept_name/WWW or /afs/ir/group/group_name/WWW).
   
   
    
8. On the File menu, click Manual Upload.
   
   
    
9. Click the [...] button (the button next to the From field).
   
   
    
10. Locate the file to be uploaded. Click the file name and then click Open.
    
    
    
     
11. In the Transfer type field, select ASCII if you are uploading a web page (.html file) or other plain text file (.txt).
    Select Binary if you are uploading anything else (graphics files, sound files, MS Word documents, PDF files, etc.).
    
    
     
12. Click OK to publish your file.

Other useful features in SecureFX

Adding Directories (Folders):

1. Under the File menu, point to New and then click Folder.
    
2. Enter the new folder's name and click OK.
   
   
    

Note: Web directory names generally are in all lowercase and are ALWAYS only one word. If two or more words are needed, they may be made into one word, or separated by a dash or underscore ("newfolder," "new-folder," or "new_folder," but not "new folder").

Deleting Files and Directories (Folders):

1. Select the file(s) or folder(s) you want to delete.
    
2. Under the File menu, click Delete.
    
3. You'll be prompted to confirm that you wish to delete the file.
    

Renaming Files and Directories (Folders):

1. Select the file(s) or folder(s) you want to delete.
    
2. Under the File menu, click Rename.
    
3. Enter the new name and press the ENTER key on your keyboard.