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In Macromedia’s Dreamweaver, the Remote Site refers to a live website (or account) which is stored on a separate computer also called a web server. Dreamweaver allows you to access a remote site directly within the application in order to upload files (without using a separate FTP program) or access a web-based database such as MySQL. In order to access a remote site you will need a web hosting account with FTP access. All Teacherhost.org web hosting plans offer this feature and if you would like information on our hosting plans please visit - web hosting plans.

Setting up a remote site within Dreamweaver will allow you to do any of the following:

• Upload your site to your web hosting account or storage space
• Download your site from your web hosting account to your computer
• Develop a database driven website using web server driven technology such as MySQL, ASP, ColdFusion, or PHP

The following tutorial utilizes graphics from a Apple’s OSX system; however, Window’s users should find the steps and graphics almost identical.

To setup a remote server, please review the following steps.

Step1

You will first need a website account. If you do not have a website account please refer to our web hosting plans. If you have an account with Teacherhost you received an “Account Setup” email which includes your IP address, username, and password. You will need this information, so please make sure you have it. If you have an account with another service provider please refer to their account information for your account IP address, username, and password.

Step 2

Locate your local website files and folder and place them in an easily accessible location. You may want to move them to your desktop for easy access.

 

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Step 3

Open Dreamweaver, and go to the Site menu > New Site. This will allow you to define your local and remote site folder. Defining a Site allows Dreamweaver to remember how all your files are interrelated. If you move a file or folder within Dreamweaver’s Site Window (Window > Site), the change will be updated and the links will not get broken! If you do not define your site Dreamweaver will not be able to remember how your files are interrelated and you risk creating a huge mess of broken links. Be sure to always define your site before you begin working!

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Once you select the New Site option a window similar to the one below will open. Select the Advance button.

 

 

 

Step 4

A new window will open providing you with a series of character boxes which you will need to fill in. The box titled “Site Name” requires a random name that you would like to name your site. This name is used only within Dreamweaver to manage multiple sites and does not relate to your Doman name or your web server account. I suggest to name it the same name of your site.

Once you set your Site Name, click on the folder icon next to the character box titled, “Local Root Folder”. Clicking on this folder icon will allow you to select the location of your local website folder.

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Step 5

Since my site folder is located on the Desktop, I selected the Desktop in the scrolling menu. Your location or path to your folder may be different; however, simply go to the location of your folder and select it as your “Local Root Folder”.

 

Once you have selected your “Local Root Folder” you will be taken back to the main window as seen below.

 

Step 6

Now we are going to setup our access to our Remote Site. If you are not connected to the Internet please do so now.

On the left side of the main “Defining a Site” Window (seen above), select the Remote Info option.

 

Step 7

A new window will open. under the Access menu, select FTP (File Transfer Protocol). FTP is a standard name for a category of software which allows you to access files on a server which is accessible through a network. You generally need an IP address, username, and password; however, some organizations offer open access which does not require a username and password.

 

After you select the FTP menu option continue to enter your account information

• FTP Host: Enter your IP address (ex. 207.132.40.12)

• Host Directory: Enter the name of your host directory.
  This is the main folder of your wedsite account.
  (ex. public_html)

• Login: Account username

• Password: Account Password

 

 

Now that you have entered your account information click on the Test button to check if Dreamweaver is making a connection to your hosting account.

 

If Dreamweaver fails to connect to your hosting account, double check your Internet connection and account information. If you have Internet access and you continue to experience errors while connecting to your hosting account, contact customer support and confirm your account information.

 

 

When you successfully connect, you will receive the following message.

 

Step 8

If you want to use Dreamweaver to create a database driven website, you will need to setup a Testing Server. This feature allows you to setup the type of database and scripting language you plan to use. If you do not plan on using a database, please skip to Step 9.

To setup a Testing Server, select “Testing Server” within the main window.

 

 

Selecting the Testing Server option will open a new window with the following selections. Under the Access menu select FTP and then double check your IP address, Hosting Directory, Login (Username), and Password.

 

 

 

Once this is complete, select the Server Model you plan to use. I chose PHP MySQL. PHP is the scripting language that accesses the MySQL database. In order to use any of the technologies listed within the Server Model window, your web hosting account service provider will need to have the technology installed in your account. Teacherhost.org provides both PHP and MySQL technologies.

 

 

 

Step 9

Once you have your Remote Info (and Testing Server if using a database) go back to your Site window. Window menu > Site

If you select the button as seen below, Dreamweaver will connect you to your hosting account (Remote Site). Your website hosting account files will appear in the left window.

 

Once you have connected to your hosting account (Remote Site), your files will appear in the left window, possibly in a different color.

Once you are connected to your hosting account (Remote Site) you can make changes to your local files (files on your hard drive or desktop) and then upload them to your hosting account (Remote Site). You can also view your account window in different ways.The following shows you the different management options.

 

 

 

The Site Files button allows you to view your local files.

 

 

The Testing Server button will display the files on your Remote Site.

 

 

The Refresh button refreshes the selected site window. For example, if you select the Remote Site window, the refresh Button will refresh that window. If you select the Local Site window, the refresh Button will refresh that window. When a change is made to a file or folder, you will need to click the Refresh button to see the changes in the Site window.

 

 

The Get File(s) button allows you to download files to your local folder or site folder.

 

 

The Put File(s) button allows you to upload files from your local folder to your hosting account (Remote Site).