FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It enables you to exchange files between two computers connected to the Internet. Typically when using FTP, one of these computers is your local computer (the one on your desk), and the other computer is one specifically designed to store files for people to access through the Internet. This second computer may be located anywhere in the world.
The ability to exchange files using FTP is often built in to Internet software. So you may find yourself using FTP without knowing it, such as when your browser retrieves an eBook for you. There are also specific programs just for using FTP.
So, what is it for?
Web sites are stored on special computers known as Web servers. A Web site is nothing more than a collection of computer files. Your browser retrieves copies of these files from the Web server and interprets them to produce a display on your screen.
The webmaster of a Web site often creates and modifies these files on the local computer, and must then transfer the finished files to the Web server, so people can access them through the Internet (i.e. visit the Web site). The webmaster may use an FTP program for this transfer.
Your FTP program connects to a Web server via the Internet, and displays a directory of available files on that server. You can select a file to send to the server or vice versa.
FTP is also useful when traveling. Instead of carrying around diskettes, people can use an FTP program to send and receive files to a server. They can access these files from anywhere in the world, as long as they have an FTP program and an Internet connection.
When I took a computer class, for example, we were connected to the Internet. The class files were much too big for a diskette and I was too lazy to hook up the zip drive. Instead, I used FTP to send my files to the Web server housing my Web site’s files. When I got home, I used FTP again to retrieve the files from the Web server.
FTP Programs
Although FTP is often built into software like browsers (so you don’t even know you are using it), there are also stand-alone FTP programs which can be used to move files back and forth between two places.
You may ask, “Why can’t I just transfer files via email?” For one, the other end may not be a person, but a machine, such as when someone sends the files that make up their Web site to the Web server that stores these files for others to view.
Second, if you are sending big files, it can exceed the space limits some services place on the amount of email they will store for customers. Also, recipients may have slower Internet connections and don’t want to hog the mailbox.
The FTP programs available today make it relatively easy to send and receive files. There are many available, some free (see below for places you can find them).
Using FTP Programs
Most of the programs have similar basic operations. When you run the FTP program, you’ll see two file directories, just like the one you see when you open a file using a word processor or similar.
One side will show you the directory of files on your local computer. The other will show you the directory of files at a second computer you can contact via the Internet. This second computer is the server.
You can usually tell which one is which, because one directory will be labeled “Local.” The other directory (belonging to the second computer – the server – somewhere out there on the Internet) is blank, because you first have to connect to this computer.
When you’re ready to reach out and touch the other end, you’ll need to login. Everywhere we go these days requires us to login, right? In this case, it’s no different except that the login process also involves connecting to the other computer. So normally the program will ask you for a server address, your ID, and your password.
Wait a minute! Server address? Where does the ID and password come from? From thin air like magic?
Let’s backtrack. The server address is just like a Web site address. It tells the program which particular computer on the Internet you’d like to connect to. In this case though, instead of getting a pretty page with colors and graphics, you’ll get what looks like a file directory; the directory of files at this computer.
As for the ID and password, usually you receive the information ahead of time depending on the circumstances leading you to connect to the other end. For example, if you use FTP to transfer your Web site files to the Web server, as mentioned earlier, your Internet Service Provider usually gives you the correct address to use, together with an ID, and your password.
Some FTP servers are public. This means that their address is available on the Internet and anyone can connect to the computer and copy the files stored there. Normally the correct ID and password is made publicly available (or you may not even need one).
When you finish entering the login information, the FTP program connects to the second computer and displays its file listings. Move around the directory to find a file you want, and copy it to a select location in your own directory. And, vice versa. You can retrieve (download) software programs, pictures and other documents, or send (upload) such files to the FTP server for others to copy.
Programs
CuteFTP – popular
Fetch – for MACs
WS-FTP LE – free
There are many more programs available on the Internet. The best thing to do is to go to a Web site with a software collection for downloading to your PC. Enter “FTP” in the site’s search box and you’ll get a list of all the available programs along with ratings, requirements, and other information. Two popular places to go for such collections:
Tucows
ZDNet
