File transfer protocol (FTP)
Summary Description Newswire's 5 Minute Guides
looks at a useful old Internet protocol called FTP.
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Roullas Top10 Simon Vandore
Newswire
No
Editorial InformationArticle Location
Article Topic 5 Minute Guides
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Story Group 001015
Post Date 09/10/2000 06:58 AM Status Posted Entered by Simon
Vandore on 06/10/2000 12:12 PM
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FTP? Isn't that just something my Web browser can do?
Yes and no. FTP stands for file transfer protocol, a means of
transmitting data across a TCP/IP network such as the Internet.
It's an older protocol than HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol),
the standard means of transferring Web pages. Web pages usually
contain a number of elements, such as pictures, HTML (hypertext
mark-up language) files and sounds. HTTP is ideal for repeatedly
requesting and receiving these elements for display in a browser,
but if you want to transfer large files such as programs or
archives, FTP is a more reliable and efficient option.
Most Web browsers are capable of performing FTP downloads (some
can also upload) by following links that begin with ftp://
instead of http://. Often a Web site offering files for download
will give both HTTP and FTP options. Experienced Internet users
copy the FTP link to a separate FTP program with more specific
features than a Web browser.
FTP is also the normal means of uploading content to a Web server
so it can be downloaded with HTTP. Most Web servers also act as
FTP servers to allow their administrators to perform this
function.
What are the advantages of using FTP?
FTP is very efficient for transferring large binary files because
it was specifically designed for this purpose. For example,
advanced FTP software offers good recovery measures in situations
where your modem hangs up or where the connection between client
and server is broken. Often an FTP transfer can automatically be
resumed from a specific point in the file, saving a lot of time.
With HTTP you would generally have to start the file all over
again.
FTP also allows you to browse and manipulate directories on a
remote computer. The server administrator can specify which
directories are visible to which users and grant them read or
write access as desired.
How about anonymous FTP?
To access files on an FTP server, a user must log in. However,
the administrator can activate 'anonymous FTP' which allows
anyone to log in as 'anonymous' and asks for an email address in
place of a password. Many FTP servers -- such as those used to
upload content to Web sites -- are private and will only allow
entry to those given passwords by the administrator. Anonymous
FTP is used to provide public access to files. There are many
large FTP resources on the Net, for example, when a demonstration
version of a program is released, it is usually supplied to
well-known anonymous FTP servers so that the public can easily
get hold of it.
What are some other ways people use FTP?
FTP can be a useful, basic means of remotely accessing a PC
across the Internet. For example, you might leave your home PC
connected to the Net running FTP server software, so that you can
read and write to its hard drive from work. Naturally, you'd want
to make sure the server software is secure! Unfortunately, FTP is
abused by the warez (pirated software) community. FTP servers
which allow uploads are sometimes hijacked as temporary locations
for the latest leaked beta of an upcoming software package, until
the owner discovers all the traffic and secures the server.
Where can I find dedicated FTP programs?
Some of the most popular Windows FTP programs include WS_FTP,
CuteFTP and New Zealand's Bullet Proof FTP (one of the first to
offer FTP resume). All Unix variants have the command line FTP
built in, while a simple command-line FTP program is also
included with the MS-DOS that comes with Windows 95 or later
(open a DOS window, type 'ftp' and hit enter). For Mac you might
try Fetch. Other FTP-related software, such as FTP server
software for various platforms, can be found at Tucows.
Are there any competing protocols?
Apart from HTTP, it could be said that SMTP (simple mail transfer
protocol, used by email) is an alternative way to transfer files
because they can be sent as email attachments. There are also a
number of new methods to transfer data, such as Hotline and
Gnutella. However, when you simply want to upload and download
files without bells and whistles, FTP is ideal.
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Bulletin Summary5 Minute Guides: File Transfer Protocol
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5 Minute Guides: FTP
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