How To Upload Large Files?

[Ahovi]

Hi!

I'm not really sure where I should put this problem of mine, but I'll try here

 

I have a digital design business, meaning that I create high resolution crafting papers, elements etc. and sell those as downloadable kits. Because the graphics are high resolution, the zipped files tend to run large. And here's my problem...how to get files ranging from 50 MBs to 150 MBs to my server.

 

I have tried FTP, but the connection always times out/hangs at some point, usually around 30-50 MBs into the upload. I have tried to check my FTP proggy (Filezilla) and tick all possible choices that might have to do with this, but it always happens anyway (also with other FTP programs). I wonder if this is a FTP or server issue? So far I've been uploading the files with the Cpanel File Manager, but that is sooooo slow! It's frustrating to spend half a day (sometimes all day) just uploading one kit. I have broadband, btw.

Whenever I download something this big from the net, it always downloads MUCH quicker, so it seems to be only the uploading part. Can anybody shed some light or advice on how to best and fastest get these files on my server? And is it at all possible to FTP such large files? Thanks!

-Anna

[TCH-Don]

Hi Anna,

Broadband connections genneraly have faster download speeds than the upload

for example, my cable offers 768k/3meg download,

but the upload is 256k for all.

 

For me I have found the filemanager is the fastest way to upload to my site

espessally if you use a zip file.

[TweezerMan]

TCH-Don is correct about the download vs. upload speeds - and this applies to dial-up connections as well. My DSL service has a maximum download speed of 3.0Mbps (3000kbps), but only 128 kbps maximum upload speed. I can download files on my DSL connection up to 20 times faster than I can upload them. A dial-up user with a 56K modem and connection can download at a max speed of 56 kbps, but the max upload speed is only 33.6kbps (60% of the 56kbps upload speed).

 

FTP upload/download of large files: Based on what you've described, it sounds like your connection is being disconnected after a 5 minute timeout (the 30-50MB is what you can typically upload in 5 minutes over a DSL connection). The timeout period is (I think) the time limit for issuing a command to the FTP server that establishes a new data connection.

 

You'd need to do something with the FTP server while your large file is uploading (no less than once every 5 minutes) that will create another data connection, such as upload/download a file, or retrieve a directory listing. FileZilla has a 'keep alive' feature, but I don't believe it would keep you from being timed out, as I don't think the commands it issues ('PWD', 'REST 0', 'TYPE A', or 'TYPE I') create new FTP data connections, and there does not appear to be any way to modify the list of commands it issues. There is also this note in the FileZilla documentation:

Please note that enabling this setting does not prevent servers that use no-transfer timeouts from logging you out if you are idle for too long.

If the 'no-transfer timeouts' is interpreted to mean 'no *new* transfer timeouts', then FileZilla's 'Keep Alive' feature indeed would not stop you from being timed out during a large file upload or download.

 

With FileZilla, you'd need to manually upload/download some small file on your server, or list the files in some directory at least once every 5 minutes while your file is uploading so the FTP server doesn't time out your connection.

 

Another option is to use another FTP program where you can configure the FTP commands used to 'Keep Alive' an FTP connection. I use SmartFTP, which does allow this.

 

The only other option I can think of would be to submit a ticket to the Help Desk and ask if the timeout period can be increased. But I don't know how willing they would be to do that.

 

Hope this helps...

[TCH-Bruce]

Or you can try uploading it using File Manager in cPanel.

[Ahovi]

Thanks everybody for the great information! David, I will look into Smart-FTP! That would be such a help and I would prefer FTP over the File Manager!

I didn't know about the upload/download difference, good to know it:)

Thanks!

[TCH-Don]

I have had better luck with large file transfers with Core FTP lite than my other ftp program.

It too has a keep alive option.