FTP: Frequently Asked Questions
What is FTP?
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is an interactive file-transfer mechanism that enables you transfer files between computers that are connected to the Internet. FTP was developed to allow transferring of files regardless of the operating system used (for example, between a Macintosh and Windows PC).
What is an FTP client?
An FTP client is the software that you would use to connect to a remote computer that is setup as an FTP server. The FTP client, such as GlobalSCAPE's CuteFTP, sends a series of information to the server to "ask" the server if it can connect. If the server recognizes the information (e.g., your username and password), it will allow the connection. (Click here to get a 30-day free trial of CuteFTP!)
What is an FTP server?
An FTP server is a software program installed on a computer to allow or deny access to remote computers that attempt to access it. For example, a university might have installed GlobalSCAPE's EFT Server so that professors and students can upload or download assignments and share files. (Click here to get a 30-day free trial of EFT Server!)
My friend told me to "FTP" a file to him. How do I "FTP" a file?
To "FTP" a file usually means to upload a file from your computer to a remote computer, which could be in the same room or on the other side of the world. To FTP a file, you need an FTP client and access to an FTP server. That is, a software program on your computer has to be able to talk to a software program on another computer to which you have been allowed access. For example, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) might allow you to upload files to its server to create your personal web site. In most cases, you would upload the files to your ISP via FTP, using an FTP client such as CuteFTP. The ISP would have a dedicated FTP server, such as EFT Server, on which they've created an FTP account for you to allow your username and password to connect and upload files. To connect to the remote computer, you need the ftp address (e.g, ftp.globalscape.com), port number (usually port 21), and a username and password. Some FTP servers allow anonymous logins. For example, you can connect to ftp.globalscape.com anonymously and download the latest CuteFTP software.
Why not just attach the file to an email?
Attaching the file to an email is fine for small files such as a text file or small graphic. Some ISPs or email servers only allow very small files and many will block specific types of files that could harm their computers. When you are authorized to FTP to a remote server, the server administrator has installed blocking and filtering software to prevent malicious files from being uploaded, to scan files to be sure they're safe, and to allow only connections from specific users. The FTP server is also likely to allow larger files than an email server allows. Email attachments can take a long time to download on slow Internet connections and older computers.
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