What is a FTP Server?

 

Sandie Hui

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It allows a user on one host to access, and transfer files to and from, another host over a computer network. It is the most common means by which ordinary files (e.g. binary files, text files etc.) can be downloaded. To implement FTP service, a FTP server is required. It is a program running on a computer connected to the Internet, which sends files on request from a special program running on the user's desktop workstation. To get connected to the FTP server, either the user has an individual account (through which he/she can upload/download files from the server), or an anonymous account (which allows only one way traffic for file download only). Please also refer to page 8 of our June 1997 Issue for more details.

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