FTP Full Form

Full Form of FTP

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is a standard internet protocol, which is best used for transferring data in the form of files from one host to another. FTP is widely used for transferring web pages from the creator’s computer to another computer which behaves like a server for other systems over the internet.

FTP is also used to upload files on the server and download them on a system from different servers. These protocols are provided by the Internet Protocol site, commonly known as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol).

Objectives of File Transfer Protocol

A few of the objectives of FTP are listed below,

• FTP provides the medium for sharing files
• FTP is used to boost remote computers like Team Viewer, VNC and Remote Desktop
• FTP is more reliable and efficient for data transmission

Importance of FTP

When we talk about two different computers, they may have some differences. Let’s say two different computers have different file conventions, different ways to represent data and text, or different directory structures. In such cases, file transfer can cause issues, whereas it is a simple, easy and direct task.

FTP has successfully overcome these issues. FTP established two connections between the two hosts. One connection is used to transfer data, and another is used for the control connection.

Working of FTP

The complete working of FTP is divided into three components,

1. The user interface
2. Control process
3. Data transfer process

The server is also divided into two components, namely

1. The server control process
2. The server transfer process

Types of connections in FTP

1. Control Connection: The most simple and basic communication rule is used by the Control Connection. The transfer of a line command or line response at a time could only be possible with the help of Control Connection. During a complete FTP session, the Control Connection remains connected. One cannot disconnect the Control Connection in the middle of an FTP session.
2. Data Connection: With the variation in data type, the Data Connection uses comparatively complex rules for connection. During the Data transfer process, Data Connection is formed. The data Connection opens only when a command for data transmission is passed. And closes immediately after the completion of the file transfer.

FTP Client

The FTP client is a program that is responsible for implementing a file transfer protocol that allows you to transfer files between two hosts’ computers on the internet. It allows the user to connect with the remote host or the server for uploading or downloading files. It contains a fixed set of commands that you can access to connect to a host. It also allows you to transfer the files between you and your host and close the connection after the transfer is completed. The FTP program is also present, and one can access it as a built-in component in a Web browser. This GUI based FTP client eases the file transfer very easily, and also, there is no further requirement of remembering the FTP commands.

Advantages of FTP

• Time effective: One of the giant advantages of FTP is time effective. FTP is one of the speediest ways to transfer files from one computer to another computer over the network.
• Efficiency: It is much more efficient as you are not required to complete all the operations to achieve the complete file.
• Security: To access every FTP server, you need to log in with the username and password set personally. Therefore, FTP is much more secure for file transfer.
• To-and-fro movement: FTP allows us to transfer the files To-and-fro. Suppose a company manager sends some information to all the employees, and they all send the information back on the same server.

Disadvantages of FTP

• Encryption of all the FTP transmission is the standard requirement of the industry. But all the FTP providers are not equal, and all providers can not offer encryption. So, you will have to search for the FTP providers that provide encryption.
• FTP performs two operations, and they are to send and receive large files over a network. The size limit of the file is 2GB that an FTP can send. FTP also restricts you from running simultaneous transfers to multiple receivers simultaneously.
• FTP allows unwanted eavesdropping by sending passwords and file contents in clear text form. Hence, it is also possible that attackers can bring out the brutal attack by guessing the FTP password.
• It does not go along with every system.

Conclusion

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. FTP is a standard internet protocol, which is best used for transferring data in the form of files from one host to another. In the above article, we came to know a lot about FTP. We discuss its objective, advantages, disadvantages and much more.