File Transfer Protocol is a wonderful tool. It is essentially a
networking protocol, that allows one to easily obtain the files he or
she desires, such as media (for example, audio or video files), data
(for example, .pdf files that span hundreds of megabytes), or even
software. It has a lot of practical uses, which include the fact that it
breaks the limitations of email (and all the other file-sharing
applications one might use), which does not allow users to send or
receive a file bigger than a certain size, at one time, and also, it
allows only authorized persons to access your stored files, that too
from a remote location. Another way to benefit from using FTP is to
yourself access your personal files from a remote location by logging
into your own computer with the help of it.
Of course, using FTP, just like any other internet-based service, comes with concerns of reliability, as it is evident that sending large amounts of data over long physical distances over a network would open up opportunities of hacking. However, these issues can be worked around by implementing a few network security measures, such as encrytion of data, or using FTP along with other secure protocols. At the end of the day, the truth is, the beauty and simplicity of transferring your larger files entirely into another computer, that too located elsewhere, without having to use external memory devices, nor to trouble yourself with compressing the file so as to make it compatible with email, just by using FTP, is unsurpassed.
If you are now sold on the idea of using FTP to fulfill all your file-sharing needs, you would also be concerned about whether it is terribly difficult to figure out the nuances of FTP; whether you need to learn it, like a programming language. The answer is, no, it is incredibly simple, all you need to do is to familiarize yourself with the commands so that you can use them as and when they are required. It is even more simple to pick up if you are already familiar with programming on UNIX. Buzzle provides you a complete list of all FTP commands, and what they are used for, so that irrespective of whether your system runs Windows, Linux, UNIX, or any other OS, you can easily make use of this handy method for transferring your files. For beginners, we have also formulated a guide to log in to the remote server. Click on this link if you are just looking for a comprehensive list of FTP commands.
Getting Started: Logging into the Remote Computer
☛ Before beginning an FTP session, one needs to obtain basic information about the server host (to be read, from now on, as the remote computer of which you wish to access files) such as its domain name (if available) or at least its network address.
☛ Your own computer needs to be equipped with a suitable FTP client. This is important, especially if the computer you wish to connect to is running a different operating system. You will be typing in commands in the FTP client. Different FTP client software are available for download (mostly they are free and open-source, but some are also chargeable), for example Filezilla, and generally, each has a UI-integrated login page, where one needs to enter server information.
☛ One can also connect to the FTP server by starting a session over one's browser. For this, you need to know the FTP address of the server. An FTP address has the following syntax:
ftp://username:password@ftp.serverhostname.com:21
where,
username and password → It may be optional to enter a username, and/or a password depending on the configuration of the FTP server. If it is not needed, the part of the address up till the '@' can be eliminated in the FTP address.
serverhostname → Either the server's hostname or its IP (network) address is mandatory.
21 → This value is the default TCP port number assigned to the FTP protocol. If you are using a different port number (in the event that you are using a different flavor of FTP), then you need to replace this value with the respective port number. In any case, mentioning the port number is preferred so that your computer explicitly knows what port number to use, although mostly, people choose to eliminate this parameter.
☛ In the event that you do not have an FTP client software installed, the terminal (or the command prompt) can be used as your FTP client. Open the respective utility in your operating system.
✐ In Windows, one can open the MS DOS command prompt by opening the Start Menu, and typing "cmd" in the Search Box, followed by the Enter ↵ key.
✐ If you are using a Mac computer, you can find the Terminal inside the Utilities folder in the Applications menu.
✐ In Linux-based OS computers, one can open the Terminal by pressing the Ctrl, Alt, and T keys.
Now, in the terminal (or prompt) type the following
C:\>ftp serverhostname.com
Where serverhostname.com refers to either the domain name of your server, or its IP address.
After this step, your client will prompt you for the username and/or password, if the server requires it. One can log in to the FTP server in the anonymous mode too, wherein although files can be downloaded from it, one can neither make changes in the directory structure, nor modify any files. If your server supports anonymous login, it will specify this before asking you for a username and password. If you wish to log in as an anonymous client, you need to enter your username as "anonymous", and simply press the Enter ↵ key when you are asked for the password.
C:\>ftp serverhostname.com
Connected to serverhostname.com.
220 You are allowed to login as an anonymous user.
User >: username
331 Password required for serverhostname.com.
Password:
230 User serverhostname.com logged in.
ftp:\>_
Where, username needs to be replaced by your actual username, or "anonymous".
☛ Now that you have successfully logged into the desired FTP server, you can now use any of the FTP commands to browse or navigate through and return from the directories (or folders) available on the server, as well as download and upload files.
Of course, using FTP, just like any other internet-based service, comes with concerns of reliability, as it is evident that sending large amounts of data over long physical distances over a network would open up opportunities of hacking. However, these issues can be worked around by implementing a few network security measures, such as encrytion of data, or using FTP along with other secure protocols. At the end of the day, the truth is, the beauty and simplicity of transferring your larger files entirely into another computer, that too located elsewhere, without having to use external memory devices, nor to trouble yourself with compressing the file so as to make it compatible with email, just by using FTP, is unsurpassed.
If you are now sold on the idea of using FTP to fulfill all your file-sharing needs, you would also be concerned about whether it is terribly difficult to figure out the nuances of FTP; whether you need to learn it, like a programming language. The answer is, no, it is incredibly simple, all you need to do is to familiarize yourself with the commands so that you can use them as and when they are required. It is even more simple to pick up if you are already familiar with programming on UNIX. Buzzle provides you a complete list of all FTP commands, and what they are used for, so that irrespective of whether your system runs Windows, Linux, UNIX, or any other OS, you can easily make use of this handy method for transferring your files. For beginners, we have also formulated a guide to log in to the remote server. Click on this link if you are just looking for a comprehensive list of FTP commands.
Getting Started: Logging into the Remote Computer
☛ Before beginning an FTP session, one needs to obtain basic information about the server host (to be read, from now on, as the remote computer of which you wish to access files) such as its domain name (if available) or at least its network address.
☛ Your own computer needs to be equipped with a suitable FTP client. This is important, especially if the computer you wish to connect to is running a different operating system. You will be typing in commands in the FTP client. Different FTP client software are available for download (mostly they are free and open-source, but some are also chargeable), for example Filezilla, and generally, each has a UI-integrated login page, where one needs to enter server information.
☛ One can also connect to the FTP server by starting a session over one's browser. For this, you need to know the FTP address of the server. An FTP address has the following syntax:
ftp://username:password@ftp.serverhostname.com:21
where,
username and password → It may be optional to enter a username, and/or a password depending on the configuration of the FTP server. If it is not needed, the part of the address up till the '@' can be eliminated in the FTP address.
serverhostname → Either the server's hostname or its IP (network) address is mandatory.
21 → This value is the default TCP port number assigned to the FTP protocol. If you are using a different port number (in the event that you are using a different flavor of FTP), then you need to replace this value with the respective port number. In any case, mentioning the port number is preferred so that your computer explicitly knows what port number to use, although mostly, people choose to eliminate this parameter.
☛ In the event that you do not have an FTP client software installed, the terminal (or the command prompt) can be used as your FTP client. Open the respective utility in your operating system.
✐ In Windows, one can open the MS DOS command prompt by opening the Start Menu, and typing "cmd" in the Search Box, followed by the Enter ↵ key.
✐ If you are using a Mac computer, you can find the Terminal inside the Utilities folder in the Applications menu.
✐ In Linux-based OS computers, one can open the Terminal by pressing the Ctrl, Alt, and T keys.
Now, in the terminal (or prompt) type the following
C:\>ftp serverhostname.com
Where serverhostname.com refers to either the domain name of your server, or its IP address.
After this step, your client will prompt you for the username and/or password, if the server requires it. One can log in to the FTP server in the anonymous mode too, wherein although files can be downloaded from it, one can neither make changes in the directory structure, nor modify any files. If your server supports anonymous login, it will specify this before asking you for a username and password. If you wish to log in as an anonymous client, you need to enter your username as "anonymous", and simply press the Enter ↵ key when you are asked for the password.
C:\>ftp serverhostname.com
Connected to serverhostname.com.
220 You are allowed to login as an anonymous user.
User >: username
331 Password required for serverhostname.com.
Password:
230 User serverhostname.com logged in.
ftp:\>_
Where, username needs to be replaced by your actual username, or "anonymous".
☛ Now that you have successfully logged into the desired FTP server, you can now use any of the FTP commands to browse or navigate through and return from the directories (or folders) available on the server, as well as download and upload files.
