FTP stands for file transfer protocol. It is a standard network protocol used to transfer files from one host to another host over a TCP-based network, such as the Internet and hosting service is a type of internet web hosting service through which individuals or organizations can make their website or web pages accessible to others through the internet. It is often used to upload web pages and other documents from a private development machine to a public web-hosting server. FTP is built on a client-server architecture and uses separate control and data connections between the client and the server.
A file hosting service, online file storage provider, or cyberlocker is an Internet hosting service specifically designed to host user files. Typically they allow HTTP and FTP access. Related services are content-displaying hosting services (i.e. video, image, audio), virtual storage, and remote backup.
Our FTP hosting system was developed around the FTP standard. This allows you the fastest and most effective way to access and manage your files on FTP Server.
The server responds over the control connection with three-digit status codes in ASCII with an optional text message. The numbers represent the code for the response and the optional text represents a human-readable explanation or request. An ongoing transfer of file data over the data connection can be aborted using an interrupt message sent over the control connection.
FTP may run in active or passive mode, which determines how the data connection is established. In active mode, the client sends the server an IP address and port number and then waits until the server initiates the TCP connection. In situations where the client is behind a firewall and unable to accept incoming TCP connections, passive mode may be used. In this mode, the client sends a PASV command to the server and receives an IP address and port number from the server, which the client then uses to open a data connection to the server.
While transferring data over the network, four data representations can be used:

  • ASCII mode: used for text. Data is converted, if needed, from the sending host's character representation to “8-bit ASCII” before transmission, and to the receiving host's character representation.
  • Image mode (commonly called Binary mode): the sending machine sends each file byte for byte, and the recipient stores the byte stream as it receives it.
  • EBCDIC mode: use for plain text between hosts using the EBCDIC character set.
  • Local mode: Allows two computers with identical setups to send data in a proprietary format without the need to convert it to ASCII

Data transfer can be done in any of three modes:

  • Stream mode: Data is sent as a continuous stream, relieving FTP from doing any processing. Rather, all processing is left up to TCP. No End-of-file indicator is needed unless the data is divided into records.
  • Block mode: FTP breaks the data into several blocks and then passes it on to TCP.
  • Compressed mode: Data is compressed using a single algorithm.

A host that provides an FTP service may provide anonymous FTP access. Users typically log into the service with an ‘anonymous' account when prompted for username. Although users are commonly asked to send their email address in lieu of a password, no verification is actually performed on the supplied data. Many FTP hosts whose purpose is to provide software updates will provide anonymous logins.
FTP hosting is designed for graphic design firms, web developers, or any business that requires moving large files on a regular basis. FTP packages can be tailored for any business. You can set permissions to allow certain customers to view specific files and/or directories. This allows you to give specific customers private access.

FTP Programs

  • Cute FTP
  • Smart FTP
  • WS_FTP