File transfer protocol

\n 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

Which obsoleted the earlier RFC 765. The FTP protocol goes back to RFC 114 originally. FTP commonly runs on port 21. The objectives of FTP are:

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

Disadvantages are:

1. Passwords and file contents are sent in clear text, allowing eavesdropping which may be unwanted\n# It is hard to filter FTP traffic using a firewall, since the data connection is made to an apparently arbitrary port\n# 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 FTP client programs. 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)\n* Secure file transfer program (sftp), a component of OpenSSH, not to be confused with...\n* Simple File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), the obsolete Internet Draft RFC 931\n* Archie search engine\n* Federal Theatre Project (FTP)

External links

\n*NcFTP Client a free FTP client program with a command-line interface that has been maintained since 1990.\n\n*Filezilla a freely distributable GPL licensed FTP client for Windows.\n*Cyberduck a freely distributable GPL licensed FTP/SFTP client for Mac OS X.\n*FTP Tutorial Basic commands\n*01FTP a free web based FTP service.\n*RFC 0959 File Transfer Protocol (FTP). J. Postel, J. Reynolds. Oct-1985.\n*An Overview of the File Transfer Protocol explains how the FTP works at the protocol level.\n*The FTP and Your Firewall details FTP's problems with firewalls and how to deal with them. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Category:Network protocols