FTP protocol is part of the Internet standards and is used to transfer large amounts of information. The first specifications in which this data transfer protocol was introduced appeared in 1971. Since that time, the possibilities of FTP have expanded significantly and it is difficult to imagine how users could do without it if they would need to download or upload several gigabytes of necessary files to online storage. And how much time would it take to transfer a site from a local machine to a server, or vice versa? Of course, you can use the archiver, but what if the server does not support this function? It’s scary to even imagine. So FTP is a pretty useful tool.
The term “protocol” means an agreed format for the exchange of information between two devices. And the abbreviation itself stands for "file transfer protocol", which can be translated as "protocol for transferring files." FTP uses a TCP channel to transmit information . Exchange is built on the principle of "client-server". Confidential information cannot be transmitted using this protocol, since it does not have data protection and plaintext is transmitted to the server. Of course, usually you need to authenticate to connect to the FTP server, but you should not rely on this too much, since the user ID and password are transmitted in clear text.
The FTP protocol is used to exchange information with FTP sites, which are huge repositories of useful and interesting information. Files on the FTP site are located in a tree structure of directories, similar to the local computer. In order to view the contents of the repository, you can use any browser, but it is better, of course, to use a program specially created for this. Users who prefer to work with the OS command line can use the ftp command.
Some FTP sites have restrictions on access to their resources. Sometimes, in order to access them, you need to know the username and password of a registered user. Most FTP sites allow you to upload files without entering a password. But writing your data to such resources is impossible.
How to use FTP if your OS is not Windows
If you prefer Linux, you can read the documentation of available operations by typing $ man ftp. And in order to connect to the FTP server, you need to type $ ftp yoursite.at.domain. The most commonly used commands are:
- binary - change the mode for transferring binary (non-text) files, for example, pictures;
- ascii - switching to the transmission of text information;
- cd foldername - change the current directory on the remote computer to its folder with the name foldername;
- dir - view all files in the current directory of the remote computer;
- help - help on using commands;
- mget - simultaneous downloading of several files;
- put filename - serves to upload the local file filename to the remote resource;
- mput - uploading several files to a remote resource;
- exit - shutdown of FTP and exit to the OS.
You can also use programs such as gFTP, FOFF, and FileZilla.
How to use FTP if you prefer Windows
In this case, everything is much simpler, and any FTP client that is easy to find on the network will suit you. Of the free ones, the most popular are applications such as FileZilla, FTPInfo, WinSCP. FTP connections can also be supported by popular file managers such as Total Commander and FAR manager. So, if you do not use this protocol so often, then they can be completely dispensed with.
Well, if you just needed to download something one-time, then you can type in the browser instead of URL something like this command:
ftp: // user: password@site.at.domain: port, in which
site.at.domain - server name,
port - port number for connection (usually 21, and you can skip it).
If you need to connect to anonymous FTP, an abbreviated command entry is used:
ftp: //host.at.domain: port
It happens that when connecting via FTP, there are some problems. In this case, it makes sense to check the settings of FireWall and antivirus.