FTP
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 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:
- To promote sharing of files (computer programs and/or data).
- To encourage indirect or implicit (via programs) use of remote computers
- To shield a user from variations in file storage systems among hosts
- To transfer data reliably and efficiently.
Disadvantages are:
- Passwords and file contents are sent in plaintext
- It is hard to filter FTP traffic using a firewall, since the data connection is made to an apparently arbitrary port
- It is possible to tell a server to send to an arbitrary port of a third computer
FTP, though usable directly by a user at a terminal, is designed mainly for use by programs.
Many sites that run FTP servers enable so-called "anonymous ftp". Users do not need an account on the server. They are asked to send their email addresses as their passwords, but there is no verification.
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 MS Windows, one can create a so-called desktop shortcut for more easy access to FTP servers.
See also
External Links
- Filezilla a freely distributable GPL licenced FTP client for windows.
Referenced By
404 File Not Found | 404 error | AX.25 | Anonymous FTP | Archie | Archie search engine | Bitnet | Communication protocol | Communications protocol | CuteFTP | Damn Small Linux | Data transmission protocol | Delivermail | DoD model | Download | EMACS | FS-1037C | Federal Standard 1037C | File Sharing | Filesharing | GNU/Emacs | GNU Emacs | Glossary of Telecommunication Terms | HTTP | Host computer | Hypertext Transfer Protocol | ISO/OSI Reference Model | InterMezzo (file system) | Internaut | Internet | Internet Information Services | Internet browser | Internet protocol suite | Internetwork | Layer 2 | Linus Torvalds | Linux Documentation Project | Linux lawsuit | List of Internet topics | List of TLAs | List of initialisms | List of well known ports (computing) | MOTD | Misuse of the Internet | Mosaic browser | Mosaic web browser | NCSA Mosaic | Network Control Program | Network Control Protocol | Network protocol | Networking protocol | OSI Model | OSI reference model | OSI seven-layer model | OSI seven layer model | Open Systems Interconnection--Reference Model | Packet radio | Promiscuous mode | Public Internet | Public concen over the Internet | Public concern over the Internet | Quake II | SCO v. IBM | SCO v. IBM Linux lawsuit | SCO vs Linux | Server | Session | Sessions | Sharp Zaurus | Slackware | Slax | Squid cache | Squid web proxy cache | TCP-IP | TCP/IP | TCP/IP Suite | TCP/IP stack | TCPIP | TFTP | TLAs from EAA to HZZ | TLDP | The Internet | The Linux Documentation Project | The Net | Three-letter abbreviation | Three-letter acronym | Three Letter Abbreviation | Three Letter Acronym | Tove Torvalds | Transmission Control Protocol | Trivial File Transfer Protocol | Trondheim | Trondheim, Norway | Trondhjem | Twenty-one | URLs | Uniform Resource Locator | Uniform Resourse Locator | Uploading and downloading | Web Browser ...
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