Tutorial - Using Cyberduck with a web hosting plan

Objective

Available for macOS and Windows, Cyberduck is an open-source file transfer application. You can use it to log in to your web hosting plan’s FTP storage space (using FTP or SFTP protocol).

To download Cyberduck, go to the official website of the application.

Requirements

• An OVHcloud web hosting plan
• The Cyberduck application downloaded and installed

Instructions

Interface

When you start the application, the interface below will appear.

• The top part, highlighted in orange, corresponds to the toolbar. You can use it to establish a connection to your hosting space, browse the tree-view of your folders and files, view the history of your actions, and many other actions.
• The lower section shows the content you want to view. For example, if you click on the History icon, the list of your actions will appear.

Customize the Cyberduck display

You can customize the display of Cyberduck to make it more efficient and personal.

In the main menu, at the top of the interface, click View then Customize Toolbar....

In the window that appears, drag the elements you want onto the toolbar. For example, if you want to add the Download function to your toolbar, drag and drop the Download icon onto the toolbar. To confirm your changes, click Done.

Use Cyberduck

SFTP connection

To log in to your web hosting space, follow the steps below:

1. In the toolbar, click Open Connection

2. In the drop-down menu (orange frame of the image), select SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)

3. Enter the information for connecting to your FTP space:

• Server
• Username
• Password
• Port (22)

When you log in to your web hosting space for the first time, a window with the title Modified fingerprint will appear. Tick the Always box, then confirm. This will allow you to permanently certify the connection host (OVHcloud).

Connection errors

When you try to connect to your web hosting space, an error may occur. Here are the 2 most common errors you may encounter.

• Connection failed (<server-SFTP>) - DNS lookup for <server> failed

In the majority of cases, this error is related to the credentials you have entered, which are probably incorrect. Check the login details you have entered.

• Connection failed (<server-SFTP>) - Operation timed out

The message Operation timed out usually means that the host is unreachable or in error. Verify the login information you have entered.

This error can also be caused by a firewall or the local network blocking port 21 or 22 which are used to connect to the server. In this case, you will need to check your local configuration.

What is a bookmark?

To facilitate access to your web hosting space, we recommend using bookmarks. They store your login details, so you don't have to enter them each time you log in.

To add it:

1. Log in to your web hosting plan’s FTP space.
2. At the top of the interface, in the toolbar, click on the Bookmarks tab (orange box in the image below).
3. At the bottom left of the window, click on the icon + to add a new bookmark.

A window will appear containing your login details, along with a new line in the bookmark list. The next time you start Cyberduck, you can double-click the bookmark to log in faster.

Transfer files

File transfers allow you to put your website on your web hosting space. By default, you must deposit your files in the directory (folder) www. You can transfer your files via several methods.

Via drag and drop

To transfer your files, select and drag and drop them from the local folder window (your files on your machine) to the Cyberduck window (FTP storage space on your web hosting plan). Once you have done this, your files will automatically queue up for upload. A window will then open.

Via the main menu

In the Cyberduck menu, click File then Upload.... Select the files you want to transfer to the server, then click Upload.

View transfers in progress

You can view the log of transfers made to your Web Hosting plan’s FTP storage space. You will find:

• Files waiting to be deposited on the remote server (still present in the queue or being sent).
• The files for which the transfer failed.
• Files that have been successfully transferred to the remote Web Hosting plan.

This window appears in two different ways:

• Automatically when a transfer is initiated
• By clicking Window (in the main menu), then Transfers

Possible actions on a file/folder

Double-click a file or folder to do the following:

• Read information from a file or folder and modify its permissions (CHMOD)
• Edit the file with the application of your choice
• Rename the file or folder
• Delete the file or folder
• Download the selected item(s)
• Create a new folder or file

The list above is not exhaustive. Other actions are possible. Visit the official website of Cyberduck if you need to.

Useful information

Rights of files and folders

You can modify the permissions (CHMOD) of your files and folders on the Web Hosting plan.

These are divided into 3 permission classes:

• Owner
• Group
• Others

Double-click on a file or folder, then select Info. The following window appears:

Click on the Permissions tab, then make the changes you want:

• UNIX Permissions: This value defines the rights of the permission triad (Owner, Group and Others).
• Select the desired check boxes: The value will update automatically for UNIX permissions.

Unlocking the website

You can reopen your website using a custom command.

In most cases, this action is necessary following the closing your web hosting plan’s FTP storage space by OVHcloud for security reasons, after a hack.

In the Cyberduck menu, click Go then Send command....

In the new window, insert the command CHMOD 705 / and then click Send to execute the command. In confirmation, the message 200 Permissions changed on / should appear in the box below.

To check that the reopening is effective, open your website in a web browser.

Go further

Tutorial - Using FileZilla with your OVHcloud hosting plan

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