The FTP service on the Internet is designed for direct file sharing; it is built on a client-server technology basis. The interaction between the client and server due to the FTP protocol. A client is one who sends requests to a specific server, and also receives and transmits information. A server is a system that receives files from a client, processes them, and then transfers them further.
What are the benefits of using the FTP service?
The FTP service on the Internet is designed to receive and transfer all kinds of files. It has its own servers, which store large archives with all kinds of data and files. In such archives, huge volumes of completely different information. There are duplicate archives in which information is completely identical between several servers, they are called mirrors.
The advantages of this service are several points:
1. The ability to transfer data through a global network. Using the protocol, it is possible to download almost any files to a computer: music, archives, text information and programs.
2. The ability to remotely manage the files on the server of any computer connected to the network. That is, in other words, you can manage the files of a computer located on the other side of the world from one computer.
3. It is convenient to work with information, files or documents, no need to go from one page to another in the search for the necessary information, as is the case in any browser.
To work with the FTP service, specialized programs are needed; they provide the protocol. There are several types of such programs: FTP server, FTP client, and archie.
What is FTP protocol?
The FTP file service uses a protocol that directly interacts with the protocol at the transport level, otherwise TCP:
- The initial standard is RFC-114.
- The latter is RFC-959.
This service differs from other developed applications in that it uses only two TCP connections in order to transfer any information and files:
1. Control connection - it is intended for sending commands to the server and receiving already processed responses from it. To organize this connection, you need the Telnet protocol (sending a request and waiting for a processed response, after receiving it gives a signal that it is possible to send a command).
2. Connection of existing or all sent and received files. After the Telnet connection is established, file transfer is carried out by means of a logical process that organizes TCP, it checks the availability of ports in the FTP server.
Such communication channels are constantly being formed and, if necessary, liquidated.
FTP protocol can work in two modes:
- active;
- passive.
What is an FTP client?
An FTP client is a specific user interface that implements FTP file transfers. It turns out that the FTP service on the Internet is designed to exchange files between several computers connected to a local or Internet network. At the same time, it does not matter at all which platforms these computers are equipped with or at what distance they are from each other.
In fact, such a client is designed in the same way as the server, but it is controlled only by a local machine, either automatically or by a person. It turns out that you can’t manage an FTP client via the Internet - only through a computer.
There are types of FTP client - the so-called download managers. For example, ReGet, Go! Zilla and many others. Thanks to them, the user can download from any Web server. The main feature of such programs is that they can integrate under any browser, automatically intercept the necessary files for the user. FTP downloaders have convenient controls, a beautiful interface, and in the event of a disconnection, resume resumes after it is turned on.
What is meant by an FTP server?
FTP server - these are special programs that run on a personal computer, they work in the background. They allow you to make a full-fledged FTP server from a regular computer, and managing the FTP service allows you to download or upload any necessary files. Such a program automatically monitors all requests that come from other computers, then processes them and gives an answer. When installing this server, be sure to indicate the limited directory available to other software clients. Each file and directory have their own individual attributes, and you can restrict access to any computers if you wish. For example, one file can only be read, another can be written, the third is absolutely open for any machine, and so on.
FTP server is a limited system, it is available only to registered users, when connecting to them, you must enter a username and password. There are many so-called open servers, otherwise they are also called anonymous. To enter there, you must enter the username - anonymous and password - password.
Archie - FTP Archive Search Tool
Finding the necessary FTP server on the Internet is a very time-consuming and complex task; a special Archie software module has been developed to facilitate it. You can work with it through e-mail, through a Telnet session, or locally. It should be understood that the FTP archive service and archie are completely different technology capabilities. More often than not, in order to gain access to the archie server, the user must first contact the archie client.
To work via Telnet, the user should open a Telnet session, write the word archie in the desired line. It looks like this: telnet archie.mcgill.ca login: archie.
After the line appears: archie>. You can also ask about the capabilities of the server by entering the command: help.
How to create an FTP server on the Internet?
Since the FTP service on the Internet is intended for the exchange of files between Internet users, and with its help it can be done simply and quickly, some users want to install their server. It is possible to fulfill this desire, but only having the necessary theoretical knowledge about the Internet and certain programs, as well as file sharing.
There are many programs that allow you to create a personal FTP server on a personal computer. One such specialized program is GuildFTPd. It is quite simple to install and intuitive if you know some of the nuances of creating FTP. Initially, it must be found on the Internet and installed on your computer. Problems with its installation should not arise. But in the configuration of the program it will be necessary to perform some actions - this is necessary for the further correct operation of the created FTP service.
FTP File Transfer Internet Service Created Using GuildFTPd
After downloading and installing this program on a computer, you need to go to the settings panel (GuildFTPd options), there will be several tabs and items. In the General category are all the main settings that determine the number of connections, port numbers and other important parameters. Here you need to make all the necessary settings. Each server they are individual and depend only on the wishes of the creator.
Next comes the Server category. Here it is necessary to enter the name of the server being created. It is advisable to reduce the volume occupied by the server; to do this, move the Log Level slider to the left.
Now you need to choose which method will create the server. The GuildFTPd system works so that future users should be divided into groups, based on this a specific server will be created: based on personal accounts or the desired directory.
What type of FTP server to create? Server based on personal accounts
This view is suitable when a file server is organized, which friends will use. In this case, for each individual user it will be possible to create a personal file system.
To do this, a group is created, it is given a name, shared access to the root directory is made. To do this, click on the Add button and go to the Edit Path section. Then a user base is created, Admin, then Add User, here you need to enter the identification data (login, password) of all future users of the created server. There can be any number of such users, it is advisable to immediately determine their number if, for example, people use 16. FTP service on the Internet is designed to exchange documents between an unlimited number of people.
When the main database is ready, if necessary, a virtual file system can be created for each user. To do this, again go to Add - Edit Path, there specify the names of files and folders for each individual login.
How to create an open FTP server?
This is the second way to create your own server, but it is more suitable for a large number of users and for Internet marketing. FTP server Internet services are perceived positively, there are a lot of such services on the network.
Creating an open server is much easier than with personal accounts. In this case, only one user is created, anonymous should be entered in the name line. You must also uncheck the box next to the name list. Then it remains only to upload file directories that will be available to any Internet user.