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What is a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Server?
An FTP (short for file transfer protocol) Server is a program that facilitates the transfer of files across the Internet from one device to another. The protocol in the name refers to the technical steps involved in moving the data between machines.
FTP was originally designed as a standard way to exchange files and data between two devices or endpoints. Today it’s used mainly to move files to and from the cloud, so they can be stored remotely and accessed securely. An FTP server might be used by an individual or an organization to transfer files from one system to another or by SaaS companies to upload or download files from their cloud servers.
Key Takeaways
- FTP servers make it easier to store and send large files across the Internet.
- Today they are part of the Internet’s essential infrastructure, facilitating file transfers between users or to and from the cloud.
- Many of the Internet services we use every day – gaming, streaming media, video calls – wouldn’t be possible without them.
- There are two types of FTP servers, and some firewalls require you to select one or the other.
- Most of the FTP servers operating today work invisibly as part of the cloud, enabling SaaS applications and services.
How an FTP Server Works
If you’ve ever clicked ‘yes’ and downloaded a file from a web page, you’ve used an FTP server – even if you didn’t know it. An FTP server operated by the website owner or website hosting company delivers the file to an FTP client built into your web browser.
When more advanced file transfers (e.g., large files or multiple files sent all at once) are on the table, there are third-party FTP clients with security and optimization features that make the job easier, safer, and faster. Most file transfers, however, can be executed automatically via the cloud. Technical advances allow file data to be exchanged conveniently and safely anywhere and anytime.
What is an FTP Server Used For?
When they were first created, FTP servers made the process of sending and receiving files over the Internet simpler and more intuitive. The steady adoption of FTP also set the stage for today’s media streaming and online gaming industries.
FTP’s later iterations even facilitated the shift to remote working through better quality video calls and easier cloud storage. Today, FTP is part of the technical backbone of The Cloud, enabling millions of file transfers from clients to servers every second of every day.
FTP Server Types
There are two main types of FTP servers: anonymous and password-protected.
FTP Active Mode vs. Passive Mode
If an FTP server is running behind a firewall, this sometimes creates connectivity issues for end users. These are often caused by the choice of FTP data connection mode.
There are two options: active or passive.
Some firewall setups only allow FTP connections to be made if the data connection is restricted to one of these modes. The defining feature of active FTP and passive FTP lies in the way each one creates a connection between the FTP server and the client. In active mode, the client starts the process by requiring the server to connect back for data. In passive mode, the client receives a port location from the server and simply starts the file transfer.
FTP vs. Cloud Storage
- Using FTP requires an FTP server and client to access files
- Installing and configuring an FTP server can be technically complicated
- If changes are made to a file, the latest version needs to be uploaded to the FTP server, and the old one either removed or re-named
- Access to FTP servers via a smartphone can be difficult and time-consuming
- To access files in the cloud, you typically need only a web browser
- Cloud storage is simple and straightforward, with files delivered via a standard web GUI
- Changes to files stored in the cloud are reflected instantly to all users, with a full history of changes stored within the file
- Files stored in the cloud can be accessed, edited, and shared easily from any device
Commands Used in FTP Server
FTP clients and servers are robust software products with loads of possible commands for manipulating files or changing how they are sent and received.
Here are a few of the most commonly used commands:
- DELE: Delete a file.
- FEAT: List the features of an FTP server.
- GET: Request a file stored on the server (you add the file name after the command).
- HELP: Show all commands accepted by the FTP server.
- MKD: Add a new directory.
- PASS: Enter the password that allows server access.
- PASV: Shift from an active to a passive FTP connection.
FTP Server Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great for sending large files or batches of files quickly, accommodating hundreds of gigabytes of data in a single transfer
- Can send files from multiple directories in a single transfer, simplifying workflow for end users
- Can be resumed without data loss or needing to start again if an interruption occurs during the process
The Bottom Line
Invented in 1971, over five decades the file transfer protocol has become an essential component of the Internet’s underlying architecture. By definition, an FTP server enables businesses and individuals to transfer large files quickly and securely.
Without FTP servers, many of the Internet services and capabilities we take for granted simply wouldn’t be possible. While cloud storage is often a better option for day-to-day access and sharing of files, FTP is still there in the background, facilitating fast file transfer from cloud servers to end users’ personal or work devices.
