FTP publishing is how GraphWeather gets your station data from your desktop to the web. Once configured, the application handles uploads automatically at your chosen interval — typically every 5 to 10 minutes. This tutorial walks through every configuration step from blank settings to a working upload. If you have already attempted configuration and are troubleshooting errors, the FTP publishing knowledge base article covers diagnostic steps in more depth. This tutorial connects to Publishing Fundamentals for broader context on the upload workflow.

Before You Begin

You need the following from your web hosting provider before starting:

• FTP hostname (e.g., ftp.yoursite.com)
• Port number (21 for standard FTP, 22 for SFTP — note that GraphWeather uses FTP, not SFTP)
• Username and password
• Remote directory path (the folder on the server where weather files should go)

Step 1: Open FTP Configuration

In GraphWeather, navigate to Settings → Publishing → FTP. This opens the FTP configuration panel with fields for connection settings, directory mapping, and scheduling.

Step 2: Enter Connection Details

Fill in the Hostname, Port (usually 21), Username, and Password fields. Do not include "ftp://" in the hostname — enter just the domain name or IP address. Test the connection using the "Test Connection" button before proceeding.

Step 3: Set Passive Mode

Most residential internet connections require passive mode. In active mode, the FTP server initiates the data connection back to your computer, which residential NAT routers and firewalls typically block. Enable passive mode unless your network administrator specifically requires active mode.

Step 4: Configure Remote Directory

Enter the remote directory path where weather files should be uploaded. This is the path on the server relative to your FTP root — for example, /public_html/weather/ or /htdocs/station/. Confirm this path exists on the server using your hosting control panel or FTP client before entering it in GraphWeather.

Step 5: Map Local Template Files

GraphWeather uploads your local template files (HTML, images, CSS) to the remote directory. The file list specifies which local files to upload and their remote destinations. Start with your main index template and add supporting files as needed.

Step 6: Set Upload Interval

Configure how frequently GraphWeather performs an upload cycle. 5 minutes provides a good balance between data freshness and server load. Very frequent uploads (under 2 minutes) may be rate-limited by some hosting providers.

Step 7: Test and Verify

Trigger a manual upload and check both the GraphWeather log and your web browser to confirm files are appearing correctly. Common first-run issues include permission errors (the FTP account does not have write access to the target directory) and incorrect remote paths.