The first obvious step is to launch Cyberduck. A new browser window should display. If it doesn’t you can open a browser window by selecting File → New Browser from the menu bar. To start a new connection, select File → Open Connection.

Cyberduck open connection dialog

The protocol pull-down menu should be set to FTP (File Transfer Protocol) as shown in the example above. You will enter the Server, Username and Password that you receive from your Vertis Irvine Customer Service Representative. Anonymous Login should be uncheck. If you would like to save this login information for future use, check the Add to Keychain check-box. The Port number should be set to 21. Click the Connect button to connect to Vertis’ FTP site. Once the connection has been made you will see the Vertis Irvine FTP folders as shown in the image below.

Vertis Irvine FTP Directory

If you are sending files to Vertis Irvine, the Drop_Off folder is where you will upload files. If you are downloading files from Vertis Irvine, the Pick_Up folder is where you will find your files.

Getting files from Vertis

Navigate to the Pick_Up directory. Either click the arrow to show the contents of this folder or double-click the folder to open the folder. Locate your files. Select them. You now can either drag-and-drop the files to a location on your local computer or you can select File → Download or Download To to begin the download process. If you choose Download To you will be prompted to select a location to save your files.

Sending Files to Vertis

Navigate to the Drop_Off directory. Double-click the folder icon to open the Drop_Off folder. Create a new folder (File→ New Folder) with a descriptive name (for example, your company name and project name and date). Drag-and-drop the files from your local computer to the new folder you have just created. You can also select File → Upload as an alternative to dragging the files.

If you encounter any errors, take a look at the article on Cyberduck Troubleshooting. If you have any problems while connecting to the Vertis Irvine FTP Site call your Customer Service Representative at 949-476-0893.

To connect to the Vertis Irvine FTP site with Cyberduck, you may need to apply the following command via the Terminal application.

Follow these steps to disable the LIST -a option.

• Quit Cyberduck
• Launch the Terminal utility by navigating to /Applications/Utilities/Terminal
• Enter the following line after the prompt in the Terminal window:
• defaults write ch.sudo.cyberduck ftp.sendExtendedListCommand false
• Launch Cyberduck again and the problem should be resolved.

You can revert to your previous settings, if needed by repeating the process but instead use the following command:

defaults write ch.sudo.cyberduck ftp.sendExtendedListCommand true

FTP is a method of transferring files from one computer to another over a network. FTP is a common way to transfer files to the web or a server. Many advertising agencies,  premedia and print facilities have FTP servers that they have setup to listen and wait for files to be uploaded. So, now you ask “How do I get started with sending files to my print provider using FTP”?

To send files via FTP you need a few things- a computer, FTP client software and FTP information from the other company’s FTP site administrator. If your reading this, you probably have a computer. We’ll discuss FTP client software later in this article. You can get the FTP information from your contact at the company you intend to send the files.

FTP Login Information

You will need the following information-

• Host address URL or IP address
• Username
• Password

The FTP server may also require an optional path or directory. Ask your contact if these are required.

FTP Client Software

An FTP client is an application that connects to the FTP server and allows you to copy files to that server. FTP clients are available on every major platform- MacOS, Windows and Linux. Some of the clients we use at Vertis Irvine are listed below.

Cyberduck – MacOS. Free.

Filezilla – MacOS, Windows, Linux. Free

Fetch – MacOS. Commercial software.

Transmit – MacOS. Commercial software.

In Part-2 of this article, I’ll discuss how to use each of the applications.

If you have any questions on how to send files to Vertis Irvine, contact your Customer Service Representative or Sales Executive via e-mail or call 949-476-0893.