FTP Basics

Anyone who has downloaded from the Internet has probably used an FTP application, without even realizing it. But if you are not a tech savvy and just a casual user, you may be wondering, what is FTP? What about an FTP client?

Here are the basic definitions of common FTP terms:

FTP

File Transfer Protocol; the protocol commonly used to transfer files over a network (including the Internet). Basically, it is a way of copying files from one computer to another, commonly used in peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing.

FTP server

This is a server or computer waiting for transfer requests.

FTP client

This is the computer that sends a request to the FTP server. Once the request is verified, the FTP client’s computer can download or upload to or from the server. So, for example, when you sign in to Apple iTunes, you’re sending a request to their server, their server checks your ID and permission level, then connects your computer and allows you to download files.

anonymous ftp

This means that an FTP client can connect to the FTP server with little or no qualification or verification. Many free download sites use this capability, so basically anyone can download from their site without having a user account.

FTP server

This is a service that can “host” an FTP site, so instead of using your server as an FTP server, users can log into your FTP site and download/upload to the hosted space. This is a paid service usually with memory and user limitations.

FTP website

This is the site (or collection of files) hosted by the FTP server that can be accessed by username and password. Many FTP sites are stored on hosted servers, while others may be located on a server owned by the author of the data.

FTP proxy

This is like a gatekeeper, so if a request is sent to an FTP server, it goes through the proxy first, and then the request is redirected.