International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-1, Issue-9, October 2014 ISSN 2348-6848

Ftp- The File Transfer Protocol

Leena Rani; Preeti Narula & Neeti Panchal

[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

ABSTRACT: the server is configured to allow it. For

secure transmission that protects the
Protocol is a set of rules which governs the username and password, and encrypts the
format and meaning of frames, packets or content, FTP is
messages that are being exchanged between often secured with SSL/TLS (FTPS). SSH
the peer entities. Application layer protocols File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) is sometimes
are used to exchange data between programs also used instead, but is technologically
running on the source and destination hosts. different. The first FTP client applications
This paper includes the full description of were command-line applications developed
File Transfer Protocol which is the protocol before operating systems had graphical user
of Application layer of OSI and TCP/IP interfaces, and are still shipped with
reference Model. One of the primary most Windows, Unix, and Linux operating
activities found on the Internet is the systems. Many FTP clients and automation
transferring of files. Every minute of every utilities have since been developed for
day, Internet users download files from desktops, servers, mobile devices, and
various websites and Webmasters upload hardware, and FTP has been incorporated
files and web pages to their website. The into productivity applications, such as Web
most common method for transferring files page editors.
over the Internet is via the File Transfer
Protocol, or FTP. FTP is a widely accepted HOW FTP WORKS: After a TCP
Internet Standard. connection is established, an FTP control
connection is created. Internal FTP
KEYWORDS: commands are passed over this logical
connection based on formatting rules
Protocol; Client; Server; Transmission established by the Telnet protocol. Each
Control Protocol; OSI model command sent by the client receives a reply
from the server to indicate whether it
INTRODUCTION:
succeeded or failed. A data connection is
The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a established for each individual data transfer
standard network protocol used to to be performed. FTP supports either normal
transfer computer files from one host to or passive data connections, allowing either
another host over a TCP-based network, the server or client to initiate the data
such as the Internet.FTP is built on a client- connection. Multiple data types and file
server architecture and uses separate control types are supported to allow flexibility for
and data connections between the client and various types of transfers. Overview of how
the server.FTP users may authenticate FTP works to ensure that files are sent and
themselves using clear sign-in protocol, received without loss of data that could
normally in the form of a username and corrupt them, FTP uses there liable
password, but can connect anonymously if

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 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-1, Issue-9, October 2014 ISSN 2348-6848

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) at the

transport layer. An authentication system is
used to ensure that only authorized clients
are allowed to access a server. At the same
time, feature sometimes called anonymous
FTP allows an organization that wishes it to
set up a general information server to • Passive Connection Mode
provide files to anyone who might want to
retrieve them. Overview of how FTP works In a Passive FTP connection, the server
the interface between an FTP user and the opens a port and listens (passively) and
protocol is provided in the form of a set of the client connects to it.
interactive user commands. After
establishing a connection and completing • Client opens up command channel from
authentication, two basic commands can be client port 2000(a) to server port 21(b).
used to send or receive files. Additional • Client sends PASV to server on
support commands are provided to manage command channel.
the FTP connection, as well as to perform • Server sends back (on command
support functions such as listing the contents channel) PORT 1234(a) after starting to
of a directory or deleting or renaming files. listen on that port.
In recent years, graphical implementations • Client opens up data channel from
of FTP have been created to allow users to client 2001(a) to server port 1234(a).
transfer files using mouse clicks instead of • Server acknowledges on data channel.
memorizing commands. FTP can also be
used directly by other applications to move
files from one place to another.

• Active Connection Mode

FEATURES:
The FTP server may
support Active or Passive connections, • 100% pure Java, free, open source
or both. In an Active FTP connection, reusable FTP server
the client opens a port and listens and the • Multi platform support and
server actively connects to it. multithreaded design.
• Client opens up command channel from • User virtual directory, write
client port 2000(a) to server port 21(b). permission, idle time-out and
• Client sends PORT 2001(a) to server upload/download bandwidth
and server acknowledges on command limitation support.
channel. • Anonymous login support.
• Server opens up data channel from • Both upload and download files are
server port 20(b) to client port 2001(a). resemble.
• Client acknowledges on data channel.

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 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-1, Issue-9, October 2014 ISSN 2348-6848

• Handles both ASCII and binary data REFRENCES:

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FUTURE SCOPE:
[8]. Bhushan, A. K. (1972). File
• FTP is very useful and is not going transfer protocol.
to go away
• However the functionality provided
by an FTP client is now often done
inside a web browser

Most web browsers can talk

the FTP protocol so you often
you no longer need an
external FTP client like fetch
or WS-FTP to download files
from the internet

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