File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) service at LDEO.

Lamont FTP Server

The primary purpose of the FTP server is to house those files we wish to make publicly available either to LDEO users with accounts or to 'anonymous' external users without local accounts. The ftp server also accepts incoming material (usually too large for an email attachment) from the outside from both users with and without LDEO accounts.

Update Personal Web Folder: public_html
Server: ftp.ldeo.columbia.edu
(Using your Lamont username and password)
ftp> cd/home/Your-Username/public_html

Some browsers might support ftp and download access:
ftp://[email protected]/pub
(Using your Lamont username)

Pickup Folder: pub
Server: ftp.ldeo.columbia.edu
(Using your Lamont username and password)
ftp> cd /home/ftp/pub/username
OR for archived files:
ftp> cd /home/ftp/archive/username

Some browsers might support ftp and download access:
ftp://[email protected]/pub
(Using your Lamont username)

For updating personal webpages, follow the above instructions and then cd /home/Your-Username/public_html folder.

Drop off Folder: incoming
Server: ftp.ldeo.columbia.edu
ftp> cd incoming/username

Some browsers might support ftp and upload access:
ftp://[email protected]/
(Using the username anonymous and your_username@your_domain as the password)

Ftp Incoming and Outgoing

LDEO users will continue to store files for public access in the /pub directory, however, outsiders will no longer be able to write into the /pub area. As is the case now, files placed in the /pub directory or in a named directory under /pub will remain in place until deleted by the user. All incoming files will have to be uploaded to a new /incoming directory. LDEO users are encouraged to make a directory in the /incoming area (or request that the sender do so) to segregate files destined for them from other files and directories. LDEO users can collect files from the /incoming area and copy them to another location, but they can not remove them.

Anonymous users can write to the /incoming area, but they can not see (ls or dir) or download files in /incoming. All files older than 14 days in the /incoming area will be automatically deleted.

The actual NFS automounted locations of the ftp /pub and /incoming directories will not change and are as follows:

/home/ftp/pub and /home/ftp/incoming

These directories are also accessible from PCs or other clients via SMB (Samba) as follows:

\\smb\shared\home\ftp\pub and \\smb\shared\home\ftp\incoming

Sorry no DNS entry

If you receive a 'Sorry no DNS entry' when trying to use ftp to access ftp.ldeo.columbia.edu it means that you do not have a valid 'reverse' Domain Name System (DNS) enrty. A reverse DNS entry allows us to find your domain name from your IP address. Your reverse entry appears in the 'in-addr.arpa' domain usually maintained by your institution or your ISP.

Please complain to them if your entry is missing.

Ftp Archiving

If you are archiving files on the LDEO ftp server you need to read this message. In the recent past the LDEO anonymous ftp server (ftp.ldeo.columbia.edu) has been routinely running out of space and we now need to implement new policies to ensure there is always enough space for normal day-to-day operation of this resource. There are two reasons /home/ftp fills up. First, when files are published in the /home/ftp/pub directory they are often not removed by the owner once they are picked up. Second, there are a growing number users wanting to maintain files for months or years on the ftp server.

The new policy (2006) addresses both these problems. A new /home/ftp/archive area has been created. Files can be downloaded from this area, but outsiders may not upload to it. LDEO users should create a directory (folder) in the archive area and then move those files that really need to remain on the ftp server for more than two weeks into this new folder. Users will have until Feb 10th to move archive files. From then on we will automatically remove files from /home/ftp/pub that are more then 14 days old.

You may move archive files using your favorite FTP GUI (WsFTPle, WinSCP, FuGu etc) or you may login and use the command lines as follows:

  • Login into the system using a terminal window: ftp ftp.ldeo.columbia.edu
  • Create an archive directory: mkdir /home/ftp/archive/YOUR-FOLDER-NAME
  • Navigate to the pub ftp area: cd /home/ftp/pub/YOUR-FOLDER-NAME
  • Move your files to Archive area: mv FILENAME /home/ftp/archive/YOUR-FOLDER-NAME

Create Your Public Ftp area Ftp Server

Outgoing files:

1) Login into the system using a terminal window: ftp ftp.ldeo.columbia.edu
2) Create an archive directory: mkdir /home/ftp/pub/YOUR-FOLDER-NAME
3) cp put files in to /home/ftp/pub/YOUR-FOLDER-NAME
Incoming files:
1) Login into the system using a terminal window: ftp ftp.ldeo.columbia.edu
2) Create an archive directory: mkdir /home/ftp/incoming/YOUR-FOLDER-NAME
3) Navigate to the pub ftp area: cd /home/ftp/incoming
4) chmod a+w Your_Username 5) chmod g+s Your_Username

Archive files:

1) Login into the system using a terminal window: ftp ftp.ldeo.columbia.edu
2) Create an archive directory: mkdir /home/ftp/archive/YOUR-FOLDER-NAME
3) Navigate to the pub ftp area: cd /home/ftp/pub/YOUR-FOLDER-NAME
4) Move your files to Archive area: mv FILENAME /home/ftp/archive/YOUR-FOLDER-NAME

 

You can also use samba to access home directory:

(To have this service you need to connect to the VPN first)

Windows:

1: In the Windows File Manager, click on "This PC" and then click on "Map Network Drive" at the top of the window.
2: Choose a drive letter, then type in the following information:

Folder: \\homedir.ldeo.columbia.edu\"Your-Username"

3: Make sure that "Reconnect at sign-in is selected, and choose "Connect using different credentials" and type in your LDEO username and password.

You should now be connected to your home directory.

OS X:

1: Open the finder, then click on the "Go" menu at the top of the screen and click on "Connect to server"

2: In "Server Address:" type in:

smb://homedir.ldeo.columbia.edu/<Your-Username>

Then click on the "+" symbol to save it as a favorite.

3: Finally click on Connect, and Choose "registered user" to type in your LDEO username and password. You can also choose to save the credentials as well.

A window should pop up showing you the contents of your home directory.