How to Use the File Manager

Overview

The File Manager is anergonomic, easy-to-learn file browser that allows to manage hosting files and massive file storage, respectively, from the Local and N0C Storage Web interface.

In this article, the term file is used to refer to “a structured set of data of the same kind or concerning the same subject that constitutes a unit for a computer” (technically speaking, a file is digital information made up of a sequence of bytes allowing various uses). However, in the context of the inteface “My files“, we mean “My directory“.

In the following, we will explain how to use the file manager , limiting ourselves to information for beginners. We will not deal with the management aspects.

The Glossary contains explanations on multiple topics and can be consulted to clarify certain terms.

Prerequisite

Access to https://mg.n0c.com/en/.

Select Files -> File manager.

Main Page

The file manager contains two separate interfaces:

• Local is used for local storage of hosting files;
• N0C Storage provides access to the new massive storage platform.

The Local hosting file storage interface is mainly used to store anything that needs to react quickly on your website and needs a high performance SSD, such as your website’s html code and emails.

N0C Storage is a platform designed to store massive files such as archives and items that do not require a high-performance disk (SSD). As such, it can host images, videos and other large files for your website. It is also designed to be used as a CDN to host your static files. Finally, it lets you store your computer files privately in the Private folder.

Databases are under PhpMyAdmin, not FileManager. Advanced users can access databases by using command lines.

To avoid deduplication, never use N0C Storage to make backup copies creating a complete image of your Web Project. The Backup interface in N0C has been designed with this in mind.

Accessing the File Manager User Interface

1. Select Files -> File manager.
2. This opens the main file management interface, with each of the Local and N0C Storage icons providing access to its respective interface:

3. The interfaces are also accessible by clicking on Local or N0C Storage on the left.

Distinction between the Public and Private folders

By default, N0C Storage platform contains two folders: the Public folder and the Private folder.

• The public folder contains all the files to be shared, such as the elements of a website. It is accessible through, for example, https://your_domain.com/n0c-storage/.
• The private folder contains files that you do not necessarily want to share. Authentication to access them is handled automatically by the file manager.

Description of the Storage Interfaces

After having clicked on the Local or N0C Storage icons, the interfaces are similar and essentially consists of five areas.

Warning: The commands differ, depending on the chosen interface.

Creating Files and Folders

The approach is similar in both cases.

1. Click on Local and then click where you want to create the folder or file (in the root or in a folder).
2. Click on New folder or New file, as appropriate.
3. In the dialog box, Write the name of the new folder or Write the name of the new file, and click on CREATE.

4. If it is a file, you can then enter the information and click on the Save icon:

Profile Settings and Themes

Some settings must be adjusted to operate the file manager to your liking.

Directory Commands

When you choose a folder or a file, the icons and context menu give access to various commands. This is an example of a context menu for a file that has not been archived:

The function of the commands is described in this table :

	Function	Icon or Symbol
Refresh	Refresh the information displayed
Rename	Give another name to a previously selected file or folder.
Copy File	Copy a previously selected file or folder.
Move File	Move a file or folder from one folder to another.
Permissions	Open a window that allows you to manage access permissions to files and folders (see the section about permissions management).
Create Archive	Compress and archive a previously selected file or folder (see the Archiving section).
Delete	Delete a previously selected file or folder.
Toggle Shell	Open the terminal , which gives access to the command line server.
Switch View	Allows you to select up to three display options: – List items one after the other, with their Name, Size and Last Modified date. – Group files and folders together with large icons. – Group files and folders together with very large icons.
Download	Download files from the hosting to the local computer (see Downloading section).
Upload	Upload files from the local computer to the hosting.
Info.	Display various information about the selected file or folder such as Display Name, date of Last Modified, number of Permissions, etc.
Select Multiple	Select multiple files and folders at once.
Extract Archive	Uncompress a previously selected archived file.
Edit File	Edit a selected text file. The code is then displayed on the screen and can be easily modified.
Copy to N0C Storage	Copy a file or a folder to a folder in N0C Storage.

Permissions Management

Attention : The concept of Permissions does not exist in N0C Storage.

The management of file access permissions, as well as writing to and executing files, is done in the Change file/folder permissions interface. The Linux CHMOD (change mode) command is used for this purpose.

1. Click on the file or folder whose permissions you want to change.
2. Choose Permissions from the context menu or click on the icon with the same name.
3. When you do so, the Change file/folder permissions interface opens:

4. There are two ways to set permissions:

4.1 Check or uncheck the items under Owner, Group or World. 

4.2 Under Permissions, manually set the CHMOD number that corresponds to the desired command. See the Notes on Manual Control section.

5. Save by clicking on OK.

Notes on Manual Control

As we have seen, rather than checking or unchecking the options, more advanced users can manually specify the permissions by using the Linux command directly in the Permissions box, as in this example where we have written 754 :

For instance, if you write 754:

• The numbers 7, 5 and 4 represent individually and in order the permissions for the user, the group and the world, in that same order. 
• Each number is an addition of the numbers 4, 2, 1 and 0, which define the permissions associated with the user, the group or the public. Thus,
  • 4 means « read »;
  • 2 means « write »;
  • 1 means « execute »; and
  • 0 means « no permission ».

Therefore, in our example with the 754 command, 7 is 4+2+1 (read, write, and execute) for the user, 5 is 4+0+1 (read and execute, but do not write) for the group and 4 is 4+0+0 (read, do not write or execute) for the public.

Archiving

Attention: The notion of archiving does not exist in N0C Storage.

An archive is created with the Create Archive command, which opens an interface with the same name.

1. Choose the folder where to archive the file or the folder:

2. Make sure that the current folder matches the location where you want to save the file or folder:

3. If not, click on the right folder.
4. Name your archive.
5. Choose the extension to give it.
6. Click on CREATE ARCHIVE HERE.

Downloading

Attention: In N0C Storage it is only possible to download a file. The download option is not available for a multiple selection or a folder.

The download is done in the following way:

1. Click on the file or folder to download.
2. Click on the Download command.
3. If requested, choose the format you want to download by clicking on the corresponding button:

4. At the command prompt, specify the directory where to download the file or folder.

File Editor

The N0C file editor offers a wide range of options. Here we explain how to access the editor and the commands available to you.

1. In the directory, click on the file you wish to edit.
2. Click on the Edit file icon:

3. The following interface will be displayed:

Here are the functions of the controls:

	Fonction	Icon
Save	Save the changes you have made.
Increase font size Decrease font size	Increase and decrease the font size (displayed in pixels).
Copy	Copy the selected text.
Cut	Cut the selected text.
View the text in the clipboard.	Display the characters copied or cut from the last command.
Additional commands.	Access to additional commands.

Adjusting the Settings Menu

You can adjust the settings in the file editor. To do this:

1. Click on the additional commands icon:

2. Click on Show settings menu :

3. The settings menu is then displayed :