Networking - FAQs

FAQs--FTP


	What is FTP? Why would I need to use FTP? What is anonymous FTP? What is the difference between ASCII and binary transfer?

Question: What is FTP?

Solution: FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. FTP allows you to login to a remote network site to retrieve and/or send files. As a security measure some sites require that you have a valid network username and password to login. Many sites, however, allow you to login anonymously to read (copy) publicly accessible material. This is called Anonymous FTP.

All network sites contain certain access permissions. At most sites you will be allowed to read the files only. Thus, you may copy the files to your computer or disk, but you cannot delete, change, or overwrite the originals. Again this is for security reasons.

The file owner can change these access permissions (using UNIX commands) to allow certain users to write and execute the files as well as read them. This can be done if the owner and user(s) will be sharing files and directories.

Question: Why would I need to use FTP?

Solution: FTP is a way of sending and working with files over the Internet. Many FTP sites contain valuable information that can be at your fingertips without having to leave your computer. This can be helpful for research and other job-related tasks. Additionally, you can share files with your co-workers without having to pass around disks or give out printed copies. If you are collaborating with someone, FTP is especially helpful because you can share, modify, delete, and copy files on your individual computers.

Question: What is anonymous FTP?

Solution: Many FTP sites require that you have a valid username and password to access them. Anonymous FTP allows you to enter an FTP site without a username or password and copy certain public files. There are many anonoymous FTP sites which offer useful information for research purposes, etc. To login anonymously, simply type anonymous for your username and either guest or your Email address for your password (this varies). Your FTP program may also have a box to check if you are doing anonymous FTP. Please note that anonymous FTP allows you only to read (or copy) files. You will not be able to move, delete, or change any of the files or directories. Also, you may not be able to access all of the files or directories on the site. This, of course, is for security reasons. Also note that there are many FTP sites that require a username and password. You will not be able to use anonymous FTP to access these sites.

Question: What is the difference between ASCII and binary transfer?

Solution: When transferring files through FTP, you will often be given the option of either ASCII or binary transfer. (Many FTP programs contain an automatic feature which will detect which method to use based on the file type.) ASCII transfer is primarily for text files (based on the ASCII code for English letters and numbers) while binary transfer is used for graphics, executable programs, and other non-text files. Binary transfer is also used when there is a combination of text and non-text in a file. When in doubt use binary transfer.

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