File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is a utility that allows
you to copy files from one computer on the Internet to another computer.
This is done very easily using an FTP Client (or program) that allows
you to connect, transfer, rename files, and many other things through
a graphical interface.
Connecting to an FTP Server
Many companies and other organization, such as schools
and government offices, run FTP servers. These are machines that are
connected to the Internet and run 24 hours a day to allow people from
all over the Internet to access their information.
In order to access an FTP server, you will need to know
the address of the server, very much like the address of a web page.
For instance, to access ETI's FTP server, use the address "ftp://ftp.eticomm.net/".
If you have an FTP client such as Cute FTP or WS_FTP, the software will
expect you enter the address of the server to which you want to connect
in a preliminary setup screen for that server. Many FTP clients come
with a list of some of the most popular software companies and other
useful FTP sites included.
Once you have your software installed and you're connected
to the Internet, you are ready to use FTP. Because the features in the
various FTP clients differ so greatly, it is impossible to give specific
instructions for all. However, one thing that is generally constant
is the layout of their displays. Normally, on most FTP clients, you
will see two windows, side by side. One window will represent your local
system and its files, and the other will represent the remote system
and its files. You can normally browse through either side, as if you
were using your file manager. If you see a file you like on the remote
system, you can usually double-click on the file to download it, or
if there is a file you need to upload from your system to the remote
system, you can double-click on the file to upload it.
For more specific information regarding the features and
functions of the various FTP clients, please refer to the documentation
that comes with the software.
For more information about how to make basic file transfers,
visit ETI's instruction page on uploading
files using FTP.
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