File Transfer Protocol

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol and is commonly used to transfer and move data from one computer to another over the Internet or through any network that supports the TCP/IP protocol like an intranet or the Internet.

File Transfer Protocol is most commonly used to upload and download files from a server using the Internet. You may or may know this but most likely you use FTP all the time.

Come to think of it, next time you downloading a file, music or a game from the Internet you're actually transferring the file to your computer from another computer over the Internet (you are actually using FTP).

In order to achieve these, two computers are involved:

1. The FTP server that listens to the network for connection requests from other computers running FTP server software.

2. The client computer that initiates a connection to the server running FTP client software.

Put simply; when using File Transfer Protocol, both the sender and the recipient must be able to access a computer called an FTP server. Once connected, then the sender will use the program commands to put the file on the server using one of the FTP clients programs and your recipient will retrieve the files from the FTP server using the FTP program commands.

There exist many File Transfer Protocol client and server programs because almost every computer platform supports the FTP protocol. Now because the protocol is an open standard, any individual programmer or any software company is able to create FTP server or client.

You can check here for a step by step process on how to set up one. This allows any computer connected to a TCP/IP based network to manipulate files on another computer on that network regardless of which operating system is involved.

Downloading or uploading files using the standard web browsers like internet Explorer is difficult and insecure and sometimes impossible when dealing with large files. To make it easier and convenient dedicated FTP software program, referred to as an FTP 'Client' is normally used.

A File Transfer Protocol Client is a software that is designed to transfer files back and forth between two computers over the Internet. It needs to be installed on your computer and can only be used with a live connection to the Internet.

Some FTP sites are willing to give everyone access to their files therefore allowing anonymous logins without being prompted to enter any user or log in ID. Other sites on the other hand restricts access to their files by prompting one to enter their log in user ID and password.

Click to close File Transfer Protocol window
and return to Window linux features.