• FTP is a way to transfer files online.
• FTP stands for “File Transfer Protocol” and is a convenient way to move files around. A protocol is a set of rules that networked computer. And FTP is a language that computers on a TCP/IP network uses to transfer files to and from one another.
• A FTP server proffers access to a directory with sub-directories.
• Users connect to these servers by using a FTP client – to log on into a FTP server, navigate the server and exchange files within the servers.
• FTP client – A software that downloads file from the server as well as to upload.

Logging in

• Connecting to a FTP server is very similar as connecting to any other server on website
• When you want to log in to your Hotmail account or secure shopping cart system, you have to provide a sever address, a username and a password before you can exchange information with the server.

Example of log in set for a FTP server :

site:ftp.fakesite.org login:hally pass : ab4ndon14 port:2

• The first line of the address above, the site address is the address of FTP server I am connecting to .
• The word ‘ftp’ in the prefix of the URL identifies it as the FTP server address.
• The second and third line is the username and the password respectively
• The last line of the example is the port number of the server i am connecting to – A port is best explained as a little door on the server.
• Servers on the web have ports that have purpose on their own
• The traffic intended for an application on the server passes through the ports
• Each ports executes a specific type of transaction between the server and client
• FTP protocol is handled by ports 20 & 21.

What does FTP looks like?

FTP looks essentially like your other files on the computer. There’s a hierarchical folder structure which you can explore as similar style in Windows Explorer.

You can get an idea of this by browsing a public FTP server.

• For example, customer who own the software with valid product key, but do not have the installation CD handy, Adobe offers downloads of all its software via FTP.

Is FTP secure?

• FTP transfers are not encrypted which means it is relatively easy to impede files for anyone who is familiar with packet capturing
• For this reason, many of them use FTPS of SFTP instead. They work in the same way but everything is encrypted.

Can I set up my own FTP server?

• The answer is yes
• For mac users ; head to sharing in System preferences, then enable remote Login. This will enable an FTPS server on your mac, thus granting you a secure way to browse your files. Use the IP address for the computer you previously set up as the server.

FTPing with the browser

• The best way to run FTP is obviously by using FTP client.
• However, sometimes it is just easier to grab files pff an FTP server using a web browser
• When the browser is transected to FTP server instead of web server the http:// in the address field changes to ftp://
• example of FTP browser’s address field : ftp://username:[email protected]/
• When using a browser to connect to an FTP server, you may be asked to log in just like engaging with an FTP client

How do i find the FTP address for a website?

• Log in to your control panel
• Select Web Hosting from the Hosting and Domains menu.
• Your will encounter a list of hosting packages. Click on the domain for which you would like to view your FTP details for.
• Click the FTP link of the file management section
• Select the Master tab
• Your FTP details will be shown. These are the details you will need to enter in your FTP software to update your website. If you need to change your FTP passwords, click Change Password.
• Once complete, you can use any FTP software to upload your website

FTP connection Requires Username & Password

This easy way helps you to start the connection as you did for an anonymous FTP connection :

1. Type ftp://ftp.xy2.com
2. Press Enter
3. A password dialogue box should appear. Fill in your username and password if it is required