- published: 12 Nov 2015
- views: 20407
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used to transfer files from one host to another host over a TCP-based network, such as the Internet. It is often used to upload web pages and other documents from a private development machine to a public web-hosting server. FTP is built on a client-server architecture and uses separate control and data connections between the client and the server. FTP users may authenticate themselves using a clear-text sign-in protocol, normally in the form of a username and password, but can connect anonymously if the server is configured to allow it. For secure transmission that hides (encrypts) the username and password, and encrypts the content, SSH File Transfer Protocol may be used.
The first FTP client applications were interactive command-line tools, implementing standard commands and syntax. Graphical user interfaces have since been developed for many of the popular desktop operating systems in use today, including general web design programs like Microsoft Expression Web, and specialist FTP clients such as CuteFTP.