University of Nevada, Reno

Technology Support

FileZilla - Multi-platform SFTP Client

FileZilla is a feature-rich, cross-platform graphical FTP, FTPS and SFTP client supporting Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and more.  If you prefer to use some other FTP client, it must support SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol). 

Select a Link:

Installing FileZilla

  1. Go to SourceForge.net. Search for FileZilla and download the latest version to your Desktop.
  2. Double-click on the downloaded.exe file. Accept the default (all users) installation options. Click Next.
  3. Accept the default Choose Components options. Click Next .
  4. Accept the default Install Location. Click Next.
  5. Accept the default Start Menu Folder. Click Install.
  6. Click Finish to complete the installation.

Configuring FileZilla

Four types of connections are detailed below:

SFTP Connection to WolfWeb:

  1. Select File/Site Manager to open Site Manager window (shown above).
  2. Click once on New Site.
  3. Another New FTP Site displays. Click Rename.
    • Type WolfWeb.
  4. Enter the following information under the General tab (right side):
    • Host: Type wolfweb.unr.edu
    • Servertype: Select SFTP using SSH
    • Logontype: Select Normal
    • User: Type your NetID username
    • Password: Type your NetID password (encrypted as dots)
  5. Click the Advanced tab.
  6. The Advanced Site settings window opens.

SFTP Connection to Departmental Website on web.unr.edu

  1. Select File/Site Manager to open Site Manager window (shown previously).
  2. Click once on New Site.
  3. Another New FTP Site displays. Click Rename.
    • Type a name for the new connection, e.g., GeminiWebsite.
  4. Enter the following information under Site Details(right side):
    • Host: Type web.unr.edu
    • Servertype: Select SFTP using SSH
    • Logontype: Select Normal
    • User: Type your UNR NetID. Example: jqpublic
    • Password: Type your NetID password (encrypted as dots)
  5. Click Advanced.
  6. The Advanced Site settings window opens.
    • In the Default local directory text box, enter the location on your local PC where you want to store local file copies.
    • In the Default remote directory, enter the location on the remote server where web files are stored.
      • For example, to access a web at "http://www.unr.edu/deptsite," enter /deptsite.
    • Click OK.
    • You are returned to the Site Manager window.
    • Click Save and Exit.

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Connecting with FileZilla

  1. To initiate a connection
    • Open FileZilla (Start/Programs)
    • Select File/Site Manager
    • Highlight the site you created
    • Click Connect
  2. On first-time connection to a new site, you see a window asking to cache a server host key. To accept, click Yes.
  3. On successful connection, the FileZilla window should look similar to the image below.
    • Connection information is displayed in the top horizontal window.
    • Drive selections and file listings for your local machine (PC) are shown middle left (under Local Site).
    • Folder locations and files on the server are shown on the middle right side (under Remote Site).
    • If you did not specify folder settings in the Advanced tab, you will need to navigate to your website.
      • Example: If your website URL is http://www.unr.edu/mysite, locate folder labeled "mysite" in the right window.
      • Double-click to open the folder.
      FileZilla Connect
  4. To terminate a connection - Select File/Disconnect

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Uploading/Downloading Files

  1. To upload files from your PC to the server:
    • From FileZilla window, select the files or directories under Local Site.
    • Under Remote Site, browse to the directory where you want to upload the documents.
    • Right-click the directory and select Upload.
  2. To download files from the server to your local PC:
    • Under Local Site, select the location on local machine to store downloaded files.
    • Under Remote Site, select files to download.
    • Right-click the file and select Download.


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