We explain what an FTP is and what this protocol is for. Also, what is an FTP client and how does an FTP server work.
What is an FTP?
In computing, is known as FTP (Acronym in English forFile TransferProtocol, that is, File Transfer Protocol) to a protocol for the transfer of files. information between systems connected to a TCP network.Transmission ControlProtocol, that is, Transmission Control Protocol) that is based on the client-server architecture.
In other words, it is a protocol or method communication that allows loading and unloading files to or from a computer (server) to another (client), regardless of operating system that they both use. To do this, a TCP / IP network layer model is implemented, together with apassword or secret key, to establish the remote connection.
The connections through an FTP are designed to be fast, thus maximizing the information transfer rate, but not really secure, since the information is handled (even thepasswords) as plain text. For this reason, it is usually used programs SCP and SFTP to encrypt the content of these connections and prevent access to information by third parties.
This type of technology began to be used in 1971 (known as RFC 114), before the invention of the protocol TCP / IP, and its current version is the one published in 1985 (RFC 959). In general, these types of connections are established using ports 20 and 21 of the system.
What is an FTP for?
FTPs are extremely useful for transferring large amounts of data at good speed. That is, to send files from one computer to another without the need for removable media (such as compact discs, memory units, etc.), but directly through the Net. This makes it easier to move data, especially if it is a large volume of data, which would require more cumbersome technology.
Nowadays, FTPs are used to share information from editorial, visual or audiovisual work, areas in which voluminous files are usually handled and work is usually done remotely. Also in the mobilization of data through medium-sized networks, such asWAN or MAN, these protocols are often used, for example, to upload information to Internet.
FTP client
An FTP client is a computer program that, installed on the computer of a Username, allows you to access a server using FTP protocols to upload or download data from it. That is, a software that allows the establishment of more secure FTP (or SFTP) connections, once a key and a specific address of the system to which we want to connect has been provided.
FTP clients usually come pre-installed on operating systems such as Windows, but more advanced programs can also be chosen to switch between different connection modes.
FTP server
An FTP server manages the connections and allows the flow of information.
An FTP server is a program designed to run on a computer connected to the Internet and that fulfills the function of a data provider on a network. This program manages the connections and allows the flow of information to and from the different clients that exist.
They are not usually implemented in personal computers, but in the repositories of the information of large Business or local work networks.
The difference between an FTP client and an FTP server is that the same server can serve many clients, since it is the central node for the transfer of information.