Knowra File Transfer Protocol File Transfer Protocol File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol for transferring files between a client and server over an IP network. It uses separate connections for control commands and file data.
FTP control connection : The persistent FTP connection that carries commands and server replies. It remains open while FTP clients authenticate, navigate directories, and request transfers.
FTP client : Software that connects to FTP servers to list, retrieve, or upload files. Clients translate user actions into FTP commands and manage the protocol’s data connections.
FTPS : FTP secured with TLS encryption for its control connection, data connection, or both. It retains FTP semantics while adding transport-layer encryption.
Cleartext protocol : A protocol that transmits information without encryption, leaving it readable to network observers. Ordinary FTP can expose credentials and transferred contents to anyone able to monitor the connection.
FTP data connection : The FTP connection used to transfer file contents or directory listings. Its separate setup distinguishes FTP from protocols that carry commands and data on one connection.
FTP server : Software that accepts FTP connections and provides access to files under configured permissions. The server handles authentication, commands, and file transfers for connected clients.
SSH File Transfer Protocol : A file-transfer protocol that runs over SSH and is commonly abbreviated SFTP. Despite its name, SFTP is a distinct protocol, not an encrypted form of FTP.
Network address translation : A technique that maps private network addresses to public addresses for IP communication. FTP’s server-initiated active data connections can be difficult to route through address translation.
Active FTP : An FTP mode in which the server initiates the data connection to the client. The server-initiated connection often conflicts with client-side firewalls and network address translation.
Anonymous FTP : An FTP access arrangement that permits login without an individual account, often for public downloads. It made FTP a common way to distribute public software and datasets.
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