File transfer protocol

The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a part of the Internet protocol suite that is able to transfer computer files between machines with widely different operating systems.

It is an 8-bit client-server protocol, capable of handling any type of file without further processing such as MIME or UUEncode. However, FTP has extremely high latency; that is, the time between beginning the request and starting to receive the required data can be quite long, and a sometimes-lengthy login procedure is required.

FTP is standardized in RFC 0959 by the IETF as:

• RFC 0959 File Transfer Protocol (FTP). J. Postel, J. Reynolds. Oct-1985. (Format: TXT=147316 bytes) http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc959.txt

FTP commonly runs on port 21.

The objectives of FTP are:

1. To promote sharing of files (computer programs and/or data).
2. To encourage indirect or implicit (via programs) use of remote computers
3. To shield a user from variations in file storage systems among hosts
4. To transfer data reliably and efficiently.

1. Passwords and file contents are sent in clear text, allowing eavesdropping which may be unwanted
2. It is hard to filter FTP traffic using a firewall, since the data connection is made to an apparently arbitrary port
3. It is possible to tell a server to send to an arbitrary port of a third computer

Many sites that run FTP servers enable so-called "anonymous ftp". Users do not need an account on the server. By default, the account name for the anonymous access is 'anonymous'. This account does not need a password, but users are commonly asked to send their email addresses as their passwords for authentification, but there is no verification.

Table of contents

1 FTP and web browsers 2 See also 3 External links

FTP and web browsers

Nowadays, web browsers can manage the FTP protocol, via a URL in the form ftp://<ftpserveraddress>  (e.g., [1]).

A username and password may also be added:  ftp://<login>:<password>@<ftpserveraddress>.

In GUIs such as Microsoft Windows, one can create a so-called desktop shortcut for more easy access to FTP servers.

See also

• Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP)
• Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)
• Archie search engine
• Federal Theatre Project (FTP)

• NcFTP Client a free FTP client program with a command-line interface that has been maintained since 1990.

FileZilla 2.2.1b FTP client on Windows 2000

• Filezilla a freely distributable GPL licensed FTP client for Windows.
• Cyberduck a freely distributable GPL licensed FTP/SFTP client for Mac OS X.
• FTP Tutorial Basic commands
• 01FTP a free web based FTP service.
• RFC 0959 File Transfer Protocol (FTP). J. Postel, J. Reynolds. Oct-1985.
• An Overview of the File Transfer Protocol explains how the FTP works at the protocol level.
• The FTP and Your Firewall details FTP's problems with firewalls and how to deal with them.