What is the FTP?

The full form of FTP is File Transfer Protocol. It is a standard internet protocol provided
by TCP/IP which is used for transmitting the files from one system to another system.

The main purpose of FTP is for transferring the web page files from one system to the
computer which acts as a server for other computers on the internet. It is also helpful for
downloading the files to compute from other servers.

The objectives of FTP are as follows −

 FTP provides file sharing.

 FTP helps us to encourage the use of remote computers.
 FTP used to transfer the data reliably and efficiently.

Features

The features of FTP are as follows −

 Data representation
 File organization and Data structures
 Transmission modes
 Error control
 Access control

TCP Connections

For file transferring, two TCP connections are used which are as follows −

 Control connection − For sending control information like user identification,

password, commands to change the remote directory, commands to retrieve and
store files, etc. FTP makes use of control connections. It is initiated with port number
21.
 Data Connection − For sending the actual file, FTP makes use of data connection. It
is initiated with port number 20.

Given below is the diagram of the TCP Connections −

FTP session

When an FTP session is started between a client and servers, the client initiates a control TCP
connection with the server side. The client sends control information over this. When the
server receives this, it initiates a data connection to the client side. At a time only one file can
be sent over one data connection. FTP has to maintain information about its user throughout
the session.

Data Structures

FTP allows three types of data structures, which are as follows −

 File structure − It is a continuous sequence of data bytes.

 Record structure − In this, the file is made up of sequential records.
 page structure − In this, the file is made up of independent indexed pages.

FTP Servers

FTP servers are divided into two parts for separating the general public users from more
private users −

 Anonymous Server − FTP sites allow anonymous FTP do not require a password for
access. We have to log in as anonymous and enter our email address as password.
 Non-anonymous server − If we are using a non-anonymous server, then we will log
in as you and give our password.
FTP Clients

FTP runs on a client/server model. For using FTP we need client software to run our PC. To
start the FTP session, we have to run the FTP client software and contact the FTP server from
where we want to download files from.

FTP commands

The FTP commands are as follows −

 USER - Sending user identification to the server.

 PASS - sending user password to the server.
 PWD - It causes the name of the current working directory to be returned in the reply.

FTP commands
Some useful FTP commands available on most systems include:

ascii Switch to ASCII mode. ASCII mode is the default mode; use it for
transferring text files.

binary Switch to binary mode. Use to transfer binary files, including files
ending in .zip, .tar, .Z, and .gz, executable programs, and
graphics files.

bye (or qui Close the connection to the remote computer and exit FTP.
t)

cd Change the directory on the remote computer.

close Close the connection to the remote computer.

del Delete files from the remote computer.

dir (or ls) List the files in the current directory on the remote computer.

get Copy a file from the remote computer to the local computer.

hash Displays a # on the screen for every block of bytes transferred. A

block is 1024 bytes in some cases, 2048 in others, but is between
1024 and 4096 in most cases. Check FTP's online help for the
number represented in the FTP program you are using.

help (or ?) Lists or provides help on the use of FTP commands.

lcd Change the directory on the local computer.

lpwd Show the current directory (present working directory) on the

local computer. This command is not available in all FTP versions.
 On Unix systems, try !pwd if lpwd doesn't work.

mdel Delete multiple files on the remote computer.

mget Copy multiple files from the remote computer to the local
computer.

mkdir Create a directory on the remote host.

mput Copy multiple files from the local computer to the remote
computer.

open Open a connection to a remote computer.

prompt Turn on (or turn off) file transfer prompting. Often used to turn off
prompting when using mdel, mput, or mget so that you are not
required to confirm the transfer of each file before it is
transferred.

put Copy a file from the local computer to the remote computer.

pwd Show the current directory (present working directory) on the

remote computer.

rmdir Remove a directory on the remote host (the directory usually has
to be empty).

user Log into the remote computer to which you are currently
connected. FTP will ask for a login name and possibly a password.

Working Procedure

Clients initiate a conversation with servers by requesting to download a file. With the help of
FTP, a client can delete, upload, download, rename etc and even copy files on a server. A user
typically needs to log on to the FTP server to use the available content.

Advantages

The advantages of FTP are as follows −

 Speed
 Efficient
 Security
 Back & Forth movement

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of FTP are as follows −

 FTP is not compatible with every system.
 Attackers can quickly identify the FTP password
 Does not allow running of simultaneous transfers to multiple receivers.