can uploading and downloading of files be automated by the shell scripts in any way?
IIANM, VSFTP is a FTP server. Which client are you using? Try ncftp.
ncftp -u <username> -p <password> <hostname>
you can automate it further using ncftpput and ncftpget.
-- Warm Regards ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Vinayak http://theregoesanotherday.blogspot.com/