how to make a Ftp client download a dir

[wpte]

Just wondering

I use ncftp as ftp client, but I can't download all files of a dir and all subdirectories in that dir
On a windows pc, I just can drag and drop files, but in command line it doesn't quite work out

I want to do this, because I want to backup my webserver every week:

download several files to the hdd
put them in a tar archive with name as time and date
copy the archive to my home webserver and delete the old files


I know this should be able with cron, but I first need to write the script to download every file
any ideas someone?

[Serpent]

Just wondering why you don't use man pages for ncftp!
Use -R for recursive download...
Like in "ncftp>get -R /Dir_with_subDirs/ "

[wpte]

Just wondering why you don't use man pages for ncftp!
Use -R for recursive download...
Like in "ncftp>get -R /Dir_with_subDirs/ "

ah... I just used a giant list with ftp commands, I tought is should be just an ordinary command.

got some probs with it tough.
it begins with "tar: short header"
no idea what it means... as i'm not tarring :P
and then after about 100 files it says time out

Could not read reply from control connection -- timed out.
get /httpdocs/: timed out while waiting for server response.

I guess a bug or something... I mean... as long as you do some activities on a ftp server you'll stay login
any ideas?
btw... I could find no manpages for it

EDIT:
The error is made by the hosting company, and hopefully they'll fix it
I had no problems downloading from a windows ftp server or the own linux ftp server, so I think it's good.
I still do have the problem that the password or username may not contain spaces...

and...
I know that "date" is a command, but how do you make the filename into the date? :S

[Serpent]

btw... I could find no manpages for it

If you install man & man-pages on your router you can find them...
Or use this link:
man ncftp

[wpte]

I still have problems using the program...
the hosting company fixed the problem and I'm able to download everything on my pc with filezilla without any problems
now ncftp downloads the whole folder and stops normally after 50 files and says the host disconnected
What I think is that ncftp first write the files to the local memory and then write them to the directory I set, and then the memory is full and ncftp doesnt know how to handle that....

this is my script so far:

ncftp -u username -p password ftp.server.somewhere
type binary
set passive yes
lcd /mnt/temp/ftpfiles/
get -R /httpdocs

any suggestions?
I really would like my backup script working...