We are often asked if we can host standard HTML pages which are uploaded via FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The short answer is no. If you choose to host on the SWNI server, you must use our Content Management System (CMS).
Our CMS allows you to create, update & delete web pages using only a web browser. With it you can upload images to display on your web pages, or make files available for download. It automatically supports BBS-like commenting on selected pages, and much more.
Our server is not configured like an InterNet Hosting Provider’s (IHP). There simply is no way into the system except through the web interface. This is by design as it minimizes server administration and reduces our overall security risk.
Specifically, we do not offer FTP service because it is an insecure protocol (i.e. sends passwords in the clear without encryption). This is a huge security risk. While there are secure alternatives, such as SFTP and SSH, we have chosen not to support them. Doing so would significantly increase the server administrator’s workload. We simply don’t have the staff nor resources to support that. And our CMS makes those services unnecessary.