File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is used to communicate and transfer files from a server to a client using IP (Internet Protocol) also known as Internet. FTP is built on a client–server model architecture using separate control and data connections between the client and the server.
For developers FTP offer a convenient and secure way to make changes on websites especially when dealing multiple file transfers.
In this blog we will discuss about the basics and how to us them efficiently.
Table of Contents
What Is FTP?
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is a standard network protocol used to transfer files from one host to another over a TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) network, such as the internet or an intranet. FTP has been widely used for decades as a method for uploading and downloading files between computers.
Users, who have access, can receive and transfer files in the File Transfer Protocol server (also known as host/site).
How Does FTP Work?
FTP operates on a client-server model, where one device (the client) initiates a connection to another device (the server) to exchange files.
The process starts with a client requesting a connection to a server. The client is typically a user accessing files on a remote server. once client establishes a control connection with the server on a well-known port (usually port 21). This connection is used for sending commands and receiving responses. It is called the control connection because it manages the communication between the client and server.
After the control connection is established, the client needs to authenticate itself by providing a username and password. Some servers allow anonymous logins for public access, where the user can use “anonymous” as the username and provide their email address as the password.
After the connection is established, file transfer can be made. The data can be transferred in either ASCII or binary mode, depending on the type of files being transferred. Once the file transfer is complete, the connection can be terminated.
How to Use File Transfer Protocol
There are three approaches on how to establish an connection. A very simple method is using a command-line FTP, such as using Command prompt for Windows or Terminal in Mac/Linux. Developers still use it today for transferring files using FTP.
A user also can use a web browser to communicate with the server. A web browser is more convenient when users want to access large directories in the server. Yet, it’s often less reliable and slower than using a dedicated program.
Today, the most common practice to use , especially for a web developer, is by using an client.
An FileTransferProtocol client provides more freedom compared to the command line and web browser. It is also easier to manage and more powerful compared to the other methods.
There are also more features available whilst using such a client. For example, it allows users to transfer a large file and use the synchronizing utility.
Conclusion
So there you have it, you can send and receive files from an FTP server. As a web developer, you will need to use File Transfer Protocol with an File Transfer Protocol client to access the website that you are managing. Furthermore, it is easier to create and remove directories and read a large number of files on the server.
We hope this article helps you to understand FTP as well as the different methods and programs used.
