FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a standard network protocol used for transferring files between a client and a server on a computer network. It is one of the oldest and most widely used network protocols.

Key Features

  • Client-Server Model: FTP operates on a client-server model, where the client initiates the connection and the server responds.
  • File Transfer: It allows for the transfer of files in various formats, including text, images, and binary files.
  • Security: While FTP itself is not secure, it can be used in conjunction with SSL/TLS to encrypt data during transfer.

How FTP Works

  1. Establishing a Connection: The client establishes a connection with the server using TCP port 21.
  2. Authentication: The client provides credentials (username and password) to authenticate with the server.
  3. File Transfer: The client can then upload or download files from the server.

Common Use Cases

  • File Sharing: FTP is commonly used for file sharing between users and servers.
  • Web Hosting: Many web hosting services use FTP to upload and manage website files.
  • Backup: FTP can be used for backing up files to a remote server.

Alternatives

While FTP is widely used, there are alternatives such as SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) and FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS) that offer more security features.

For more information on SFTP, you can read our article on SFTP Protocol.

FTP Server