What Is File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?

File t💧ransfer protocol (FTP) is a standar🌠d communication protocol used to transfer computer files from one location to another via the Internet.

A massive amount of digital files are exchanged over the Internet every day. FTP enables digital files to be moved between different systems. For example, when a file is downloaded online, FTP collects the file (from the remote server wh🌠ere it is hosted) and transfers the file to the local device. After it is transferred from the server to the local device♓, the file is available offline. 

people have been using FTP to upload and download files. If you’ve ever downloaded software from the internet, you’ve likely used FTP.

How File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Works

FTP processes are usually automated; most of the time, they occur while using the Internet without the user being aware of it—or without initiating any special actions. For example, if you've ever downloaded software from the Internet, you’ve likely used FTP. (However, if you've ever seen a "404" error message, you've witnessed an aspect of the inner workings of FTP; this error message indicates a file transfer malfunction.)

Most Internet browsers already include a FTP ꦜthat enables file transfer capabilities. Some users may want to use a third-party FTP client. FileZilla, Cyberduck, and FireFTP are some examples of FTP clients that are free to download.

FTP is also used as a part of cloud storage technology. (Cloud storage refers to the storage of data on remote servers that are accessed via the Internet.) FTP cloud storage allows users to upload and download files to and from a server. Some companies use FTP cloud storage to enable their employees to work remotely and access files securely.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Process

The FTP process can be broken d𓄧own into just a few key steps.

• First, a user logs in to an FTP server (although a login might not be required).
• The FTP client interacts with the server upon a request.
• With FTP, a user can then upload, download, or move files on the server.

History of File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

File transfer protocol (FTP) was first described in a white paper in 1972 by Abhay Bhushan, then a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The aim was to allow the transfer of data files over the ARPANET, the early precursor toꦓ the modern internet.

The original protoꦯcol has undergone several revisions and upgrades since the 19🦋80s to improve its speed, fidelity, and security.

Types of File Type Protocol (FTP)

T🍷here are various types of FTP, including anonymous and password-protected.

Anonymous FT💦P allows the t𝔍ransfer of data without encryption or using a password. This is good for files that can be distributed without restrictions.

On the other hand, password-protected FTP uses a usernaꦉme and password to access the files. FTP secure (FTPS) offers increased security when transferring, allowing for implicit transport layer security (TLS). FTP can also employ explicit TLS, which upgrades the connection to an encrypted connection for added security.

Other Protocols

FTP is one of many different protocols tha꧟t dictate how computers and computing systems behave on the internet. Other such protocols include the following:

• Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): Designed to transmit data across the web
• Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP): Provides access to bulletin board or email messages from a shared service
• Network Time Protocol (NTP): Synchronizes clock times on computers over a network

Benefit🐬s and Uses of File Tr🐬ansfer Protocol (FTP)

FTP makes handling data across the internet much easier and intui♚tive. Without FTP—and its later iterations—we would not be able to easily stream video content, make video calls, play online games, share files, or enjoy cloud storage.

Today, FTP operates behind the scenes as a backbone for data transfer from servers to millions of clients around the world, evওery secoꦉnd of the day.

Example of File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Clients

FT❀P software is relatively straightforward to set up. FileZilla is a free, downloadable FTP client. Other examples of FTP clients include Transmi♛t, WinSCP, and WS_FTP.

♍ After typing in the address of the server you wish to access, the port, and the password for accessing the server—and you are granted access—the user’s files on their local system will be visible (in additio🌳n to the accessed server).

The user can either download files from the server to the local system or upload files from the local system to the server. They can also make changes to files on the server if they have the proper authorization to do so.

What To Look for in꧂ a File T♑ransfer Protocol (FTP) Client

Individual FTP clients provide different features that allow users to modify the way they upload and download files. For instance, when using FileZilla, you can set bandwidth limits for files. This enables y🦩ou to control upload and download spe♋eds, which can be helpful when managing multiple file transfers at once.

Other features you may want to look for in an FTP client include public-key authenticatioဣn, the ability to set file compression levels, or tools that enable you to search a🌳 server using file masks.

The Bottom Line

Now over 50 years old, file transfer protocol (FTP) is a critical piece ofꦐ Internet infrastructure that allows the quick and sec💦ure transfer of data online. Without FTP, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy many Internet applications, including web-based online gaming, streaming content, and videoconferencing.