File Transfer Protocol, or FTP, is a standard network protocol that is used to transfer computer files between a client and server on a computer network.
FTP can be used to exchange files between computer accounts, transfer files between an account and a desktop computer, or to access online software archives.
FTP is a commonly used protocol for exchanging files over the internet by using the Internet’s TCP/IP protocol to enable data transfer.
But how exactly does it work? Find out on the next page.
It uses a client-server architecture that is often secured with SSL/TLS.
FTP works basically in the same was a HTTP does for transferring web pages from a server to user’s browser.
Users provide authentication using a sign-in protocol, typically a username and password, however, some FTP servers may be configured to accept anonymous FTP logins, this can be used when the identity of the user is not needed before accessing files.
Graphical FTP clients are designed to simplify file transfers by allow the user to drag and drop file icons between windows.