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Why FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is (and remains) important - explanation

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol and is a network protocol used to transfer files between computers over a TCP/IP-based network such as the Internet. FTP is one of the oldest file transfer protocols and is commonly used to upload and download files to and from web servers or content management systems such as Wordpress.

Main features of FTP

  1. Client-server architecture: FTP works according to the client-server model. An FTP client establishes a connection to an FTP server in order to transfer files. Well-known FTP clients are e.g. FileZilla, WinSCP and Cyberduck.

2 Two transfer modes: FTP can transfer files in two modes:

  • ASCII mode: For text files.
  • Binary mode: For binary files such as images, videos or executable files to ensure that the files are transferred correctly.
  1. Authentication: To access an FTP server, users usually need a username and password. However, there are also anonymous FTP servers where you can download files without logging in.

4 Commands: FTP uses specific commands to perform actions, such as:

  • LIST: Lists files and directories in the current directory.
  • RETR: Downloads a file from the server.
  • STOR: Uploads a file to the server.
  • DELE: Deletes a file on the server.

Operating modes

FTP can be operated in two different modes: Active mode and Passive mode.

  • Active mode: The client opens a random port and tells the server that this should be used for the data connection. The server then establishes the connection to this port. This mode can be blocked by firewalls and NAT routers.

  • Passive mode**: The server opens a random port and informs the client that this should be used for the data connection. The client then establishes the connection to this port. This mode is used more frequently as it works better with firewalls and NAT routers.

Security aspects

FTP transmits data, including credentials, in plain text, which makes it vulnerable to eavesdropping attacks. Therefore, more secure alternatives are recommended:

  • FTPS (FTP Secure): An extension of FTP that uses SSL/TLS to encrypt the connection.
  • SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)**: A separate protocol that runs over SSH (Secure Shell) and enables secure file transfer.

Application examples

  • Web development: Uploading and managing files on a web server.
  • Data backup: Transferring backups to a remote server.
  • File sharing: Making files available for download by other users.

Conclusion

FTP is a proven and widely used protocol for file transfer on the Internet. Despite its security vulnerabilities, it remains useful in many applications due to its simplicity and availability, especially when supplemented by more secure protocols such as FTPS or SFTP.

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