Webhosting - File Management

In this article, you will learn:

• How files and directories work
• What the Webhosting directory structure is
• How to manage files via FTP
• How to fix file permissions
• Common problems
• Frequently asked questions

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Files and directories

Files are the basic building blocks of your website. Most often, they are code or parts of it that make up a web application, as well as various media – images, videos, documents…

For the website to work properly, all of its parts should ideally be located on one hosting service. If you need to move files from your computer to the webhosting, upload them via FTP. This transfer is not limited by file size, only by the connection speed.

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Webhosting directory structure

Webhosting has a fixed basic directory structure. Make sure that it always contains these directories:

• session – storage for files with session data for PHP
• tmp – directory for various temporary files (important for file uploads)
• www – the website's own directory

The following directories are part of the basic structure, but the website can function without them:

• www/domains – directory for creating separate content for aliases (more info about aliases)
• www/subdom – directory for creating subdomains (more info about subdomains)

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File management via FTP

FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is the basic method of transferring data between a user's computer and webhosting. For a computer to use it, it needs an FTP client, i.e. a program that can communicate via the FTP protocol and includes an interface for moving files. We recommend using one of the following:

• WebFTP – FTP client in the browser (interface ⧉ || instructions)
• FileZilla – multiplatform FTP client

Establishing an FTP connection

To connect your computer to the webhosting via FTP, you need these details:

• FTP server address
• Username
• Password

Uploading files via FTP

The specific process of uploading, modifying, and deleting files on the webhosting via FTP depends on the chosen client, and the exact procedure can be found in its user guide.

When working with files, follow these precautions:

• Avoid deleting files that make up the webhosting directory structure.
• Make sure you upload data to the correct folder: the website belongs in the www folder (or its subfolders).
• Be careful when deleting files directly on the webhosting – there is no trash bin from which you could later restore them. If in doubt, make a backup.

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Fixing file permissions

It may happen that files have permissions set that do not allow the server to work with them effectively. This results in Error 403. You can fix file permissions using this procedure:

1. Log in to the customer administration ⧉.
2. In the top menu, select Hosting Services Webhosting.
3. From the Webhosting overview, select the desired service.
4. In the left menu, select Tools.
5. In the File permission repair box, click the Repair file permissions button.

This repair allows the server and users access to files that might otherwise be blocked.

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Common problems

An overview of common problems with FTP connection and instructions for solving them can be found in the article FTP – Troubleshooting.

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Frequently asked questions