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Guide to Accessing Your G: Drive Via File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

The Polaris web server can be accessed using the FTP protocol. FileZilla is the preferred FTP program for Windows computers, and is available from http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla. A free FTP application for Macs is called Cyberduck. The MIT Lab does not recommend the use of and does not support the CuteFTP line of software as it does not seem to work well for many users.

It is strongly encouraged to connect first to the Bruin Online VPN (even on a home computer) before connecting to Polaris. (you do this by installing the software and connecting to the BOL VPN software before starting your FTP client; then after you're done with FTP, disconnect from the BOL VPN). This will cause all FTP traffic to be encrypted and keep your information safer.

Basic settings:

Host Name: polaris.gseis.ucla.edu
Username: your IS username (that you use in the MIT Lab)
Password: your IS password

You may need to look for the setting to use "Active FTP" (instead of "Passive FTP") to help you connect.

Your files are located in the "students/[username]" folder once you connect.

Example FTP Setup for Filezilla: (most other FTP programs are very similar):

1. You may obtain a free copy of FileZilla from http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla
2. Once installed, open FileZilla. Along the top of the screen, enter the Address, User, and Password. The address is the name of the server which you want to contact, in this case, polaris.gseis.ucla.edu. In User and Password, enter same user ID and password you use to log into the machines in the MIT Lab. You may leave the Port information blank.
3. Click QUICK CONNECT.
4. Once Filezilla has connected you to the GSE&IS server, click on STUDENTS in the right-hand "Remote Site" box.
5. Inside STUDENTS, click on your username folder (identified by first initial and last name.)
6. Once inside your personal folder, you will be able to find your DOCUMENTS folder, along with all other folders normally found in your GSE&IS account.
7. In order to move documents from your computer to your GSE&IS account, or visa versa, click and drag documents between the Local Site and Remote Site windows:

8. When you are finished with your FTP session, simply close the Filezilla window to log out.
IN CASE OF PROBLEMS: The most common problem with FTP is an apparent "freeze" after connecting. If you see a successful connection, but then receive time-out errors, you may need to try setting your FTP program to use Active FTP instead of Passive FTP. The difference is in how your FTP program works with the firewall on the GSE&IS Network. To make the change in Filezilla, go to Edit->Settings, then click on Connection, then Firewall Settings. Be sure the box for Passive Mode is NOT checked. If you have further connection issues, be sure that any firewall/antivirus software on your computer is set to allow FTP.

Questions/Comments? Please see our contact info page.
Interested in applying to the Department of Information Studies? Check out the Admissions page for more information.

Updated 1/8/07