What is FTP (File Transfer Protocol)?FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a network protocol for transmitting files between computers over Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connections. Within the TCP/IP suite, FTP is considered an application layer protocol. Show
In an FTP transaction, the end user's computer is typically called the local host. The second computer involved in FTP is a remote host, which is usually a server. Both computers need to be connected via a network and configured properly to transfer files via FTP. Servers must be set up to run FTP services, and the client must have FTP software installed to access these services. Although many file transfers can be conducted using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) -- another protocol in the TCP/IP suite -- FTP is still commonly used to transfer files behind the scenes for other applications, such as banking services. It is also sometimes used to download new applications via web browsers. How does FTP work?FTP is a client-server protocol that relies on two communications channels between the client and server: a command channel for controlling the conversation and a data channel for transmitting file content. Here is how a typical FTP transfer works:
FTP sessions work in active or passive modes:
Users can work with FTP via a simple command-line interface -- from a console or terminal window in Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS or Linux -- or with a dedicated graphical user interface. Web browsers can also serve as FTP clients. Why is FTP important and what is it used for?FTP is a standard network protocol that can enable expansive file transfer capabilities across IP networks. Without FTP, file and data transfer can be managed with other mechanisms -- such as email or an HTTP web service -- but those other options lack the clarity of focus, precision and control that FTP enables. FTP is used for file transfers between one system and another, and it has several common use cases, including the following:
FTP typesThere are several different ways an FTP server and client software can conduct a file transfer using FTP:
FTP securityFTP was initially defined in 1971, predating TCP and IP, and it has been redefined several times since then to accommodate new technologies, including the use of TCP/IP, or Request for Comments 765 and RFC 959, and IPv6, or RFC 2428. FTP has also undergone several updates to enhance FTP security. These include versions that encrypt via an implicit TLS connection (FTPS) or explicit TLS connection (FTPES) or that work with SFTP. By default, FTP does not encrypt traffic, and individuals can capture packets to read usernames, passwords and other data. By encrypting FTP with FTPS or FTPES, data is protected, limiting the ability of an attacker to eavesdrop on a connection and steal data. FTP may still be vulnerable to brute-force attacks against user/password authentication spoofing, an FTP bounce attack or a distributed denial-of-service attack. History of FTPThe first specification for FTP was published as RFC 114 on April 16, 1971, and was written by Abhay Bhushan, then a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The original idea behind FTP was to enable the transfer of files over ARPANET, the precursor to the internet. As the modern internet began to take shape, the FTP specification underwent several revisions to align with networking standards, including TCP/IP. In 1980, a new version of FTP was defined in RFC 765 by Jon Postel, a research scientist at the Information Sciences Institute at the University of Southern California at the time. Five years later, FTP was redefined yet again with RFC 959, which introduced new management capabilities for the protocol, including the ability to make and remove a file directory. Prior iterations of FTP were largely limited to transferring files to and from existing file directory structures. In 1997, RFC 959 was updated with new capabilities defined in RFC 2228 to provide security capabilities. Two years later, FTP was updated with RFC 2428 to support the IPv6 protocol. FTP clientsFTP clients are used to upload, download and manage files on a server. FTP clients include the following:
This was last updated in May 2021 Continue Reading About FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
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What is used to transfer files from one computer to another?Using an external storage device or flash drives
Plug in USB flash drive to the old computer. Once the flash drive is recognized, copy desired files and applications to it.
What can you use to transfer files from the one computer to another if the Internet isn't working?Transfer files using a USB stick / USB external drive
One of the simplest ways to transfer files to another computer is to use a USB stick (or a USB external hard drive). You simply connect the USB drive to the computer and copy files to it, same as you would copy them to any other folder.
Which of the following program is used to upload the website files on server?The commonly way to upload data to the server is using FTP client. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used to transfer data from one computer (your personal computer) to another computer (webserver). FTP client looks like File Manager and you can copy (upload, download) files here from one computer to another computer.
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