(1) (Foil Twisted Pair) See twisted pair.
(2) (File Transfer Protocol) A protocol used to transfer files over a TCP/IP network (Internet, Unix, etc.). For example, after developing the HTML pages for a Web site on a local machine, they are typically uploaded to the Web server using FTP.
FTP includes functions to log in to the network, list directories and copy files. It can also convert between the ASCII and EBCDIC character codes. FTP operations can be performed by typing commands at a command prompt or via an FTP utility running under a graphical interface such as Windows. FTP transfers can also be initiated from within a Web browser by entering the URL preceded with ftp://.
FTP Vs. E-Mail
E-mail was designed for ASCII text only. In order to include other file types such as images and programs in an e-mail message, they have to be converted to a full binary format and "attached" to the message. FTP was designed to handle binary files directly and does not add the overhead of encoding and decoding the data as does e-mail.
FTP Vs. HTTP
When you download a Web page, the HTTP protocol is used. HTTP and FTP operate in a similar manner for file transfer, and both support binary files.
It's a Verb Too
The term is also used as a verb; for example, "let's FTP them the file." See FTP commands, anonymous FTP and TFTP. See also FTTP.
FTP Utility
Ipswitch's WS_FTP Pro makes FTP'ing easy under Windows. After logging in and switching to the appropriate folders on the local and remote systems, transferring files requires only highlighting, dragging and dropping.
(2) (File Transfer Protocol) A protocol used to transfer files over a TCP/IP network (Internet, Unix, etc.). For example, after developing the HTML pages for a Web site on a local machine, they are typically uploaded to the Web server using FTP.
FTP includes functions to log in to the network, list directories and copy files. It can also convert between the ASCII and EBCDIC character codes. FTP operations can be performed by typing commands at a command prompt or via an FTP utility running under a graphical interface such as Windows. FTP transfers can also be initiated from within a Web browser by entering the URL preceded with ftp://.
FTP Vs. E-Mail
E-mail was designed for ASCII text only. In order to include other file types such as images and programs in an e-mail message, they have to be converted to a full binary format and "attached" to the message. FTP was designed to handle binary files directly and does not add the overhead of encoding and decoding the data as does e-mail.
FTP Vs. HTTP
When you download a Web page, the HTTP protocol is used. HTTP and FTP operate in a similar manner for file transfer, and both support binary files.
It's a Verb Too
The term is also used as a verb; for example, "let's FTP them the file." See FTP commands, anonymous FTP and TFTP. See also FTTP.
FTP Utility
Ipswitch's WS_FTP Pro makes FTP'ing easy under Windows. After logging in and switching to the appropriate folders on the local and remote systems, transferring files requires only highlighting, dragging and dropping.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Rank Tracker SEO Enterprise Edition 4.11 (Windows)
- Rank Tracker Enterprise is an all-in-one rankings monitoring tool for webmasters and SEOs who need to monitor their most important keywords in major search engines. Here's what this SEO program can do for you: reveals site's rankings for an unlimited number of keywords. Immediately see how well the site's ranking...
- Software downloads 2009-11-27
- Core FTP Server 1.0 build 319 (Windows)
- Core FTP Server is a secure FTP server with SSL/TLS/FTPS, SSH/SFTP, HTTP/S support virtual paths, access rules, and certificate authentication. Quick and easy setup, start sharing files in minutes. Free version supports one domain and two users.
- Software downloads 2009-11-26
- WeBuilder 2010 10.0.119 (Windows)
- WeBuilder is revolutionary all-in-one taxt-based Web code editor that enables you to edit HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, ASP, Ruby and other web documents within single program. Clean and convenient interface, quick startup, true flexibility, and powerful features allow you to create and edit HTML, CSS, JavaScript, VBScript, WML, PHP, ASP,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-26
- Rapid CSS 2010 10.0.119 (Windows)
- With Rapid CSS Editor you can quickly and easily create, edit and validate cascading style sheets of any size and complexity. You can write the style sheet code manually or let the program do it for you. In each case it is easy because of the many helpful features, including...
- Software downloads 2009-11-26
- PRTG Network Monitor 7.2.3.4990 (Windows)
- An advanced, easy-to-use monitoring solution for your entire network. The software's features include: up/downtime monitoring, traffic and usage monitoring, packet sniffing, in-depth analysis and concise reporting. A user-friendly web-based interface allows users to quickly auto-discover and configure the network devices and sensors they wish to monitor. All common methods for...
- Software downloads 2009-11-26
- FTPGetter 3 Professional 3.25.0.55 (Windows)
- With FTPGetter 3 Professional, users have an simpler way to get to files from a server using an FTP/SFTP client. Normally, their only option is to manually log in and move, check, or add files. This can be time-consuming for any worker and is not the most efficient use of...
- Software downloads 2009-11-25
- FTPGetter 3.25.0.51 (Windows)
- FTPGetter is an automated ftp program that allows you to upload or download files between ftp servers and your local or network workstation drives. This is done by using file masks, i.e. when neither exact file names, nor their numbers are known. Using this form of file batch processing lets...
- Software downloads 2009-11-25
- Dejal Simon 2.5.5 (Mac)
- Dejal Simon is the essential site monitoring tool for Mac OS X. It checks web pages, FTP and DNS servers, local or remote ports, and other services for changes or failures, and notifies you via e-mail, sound, speech, Twitter, HTML reports, and other means. Add tests to Simon to track...
- Software downloads 2009-11-25
- WebDrive 2.01.203 (Mac)
- WebDrive for Mac integrates FTP, FTPS, WebDAV, SFTP, or GroupDrive servers into OS/X Finder by mounting the server as a local device. This allows you to use your favorite Macintosh applications to edit files and save them directly to the server. The WebDrive for Mac client includes many advanced features...
- Software downloads 2009-11-25
- AbleFtp 8.32 (Mac)
- Ftp client with a difference. Designed for automation of ftp and related tasks. Goal is to create advanced ftp tasks that can be scheduled automatically or run instantly. Additional tasks include local and ftp directory monitors, zip, copy, delete. Ftp and local directory monitor can monitor directory for change, file...
- Software downloads 2009-11-24
- JaSFtp 8.32 (Mac)
- SFTP client secure FTP designed primary for automation of SFTP, FTP and related tasks. Goal is to create advanced SFTP and FTP tasks that can be scheduled automatically or run instantly. Supports a very flexible wildcard system to transfer multiple files at once. Supports subdirectory transfers. Includes flexible task scheduler....
- Software downloads 2009-11-24
- Automize 8.32 (Mac)
- Automize is a task scheduler and automation software that can automate a variety of tasks, including FTP transfers, FTP monitoring, Web downloads, Web site monitoring, E-mail checking and sending, Telnet, ping, database SQL, advanced zip, unzip, copy, synchronize folders, and directory and file monitoring. In addition, the chaining feature can...
- Software downloads 2009-11-24
- File Courier 1.0.3 (Mac)
- File Courier is a digital delivery solution for FTP and local destinations with advanced professional features. Key features: Deliver to FTP locations Deliver to folders on local network Attach files to e-mail Automatic e-mail delivery notifications Destination codes for automatic delivery Automatic zip/dmg compression Create lo-res PDF automatically...
- Software downloads 2009-11-24
- Fastream IQ Proxy Server 3.1.4R (Windows)
- IQ Proxy Server is a robust and secure content/reverse solution for Windows. Featuring the most scalable server engine with up to 20,000 simultaneous connections for both filtering and caching content proxy and securing and accelerating reverse proxy, could serve more than 10,000 requests/sec in keep-alive mode. Fastream IQ Proxy Server...
- Software downloads 2009-11-24
- SEEdit Pro 1.9.0 (Mac)
- With SEEdit's fast and powerful Editor Toolbox, insertion of code and classes are always just one click away. SEEdit's handy advanced Tag Editor also handles CSS classes and Javascript functions. Other powerful features to assist professionals and hobbyists worldwide include Tidy Checker for standards-compliant code, the Quick CSS Tool for...
- Software downloads 2009-11-24
- H264 WebCam 3.6 (Windows)
- H264 WebCam is a 8-channel h264 remote video surveillance software for Windows. This software has an advanced video motion detection algorithm along with various alert functions including Email, FTP, and sound. It can handle up to 8-channels of video input and 8-channels of audio input, capturing images at up to...
- Software downloads 2009-11-24
- H264 WebCam Pro 3.6 (Windows)
- H264 WebCam Pro is a 16-channel h264 remote video surveillance software for Windows. It can capture images at up to 30 frames per second from directly connected cameras both USB and analog, TV boards, capture cards, network ip camera etc. It can broadcast live audio and video to internet, and...
- Software downloads 2009-11-24
- RJ TextEd 5.75.1 (Windows)
- Unicode text editor with syntax highlighting, code folding, full FTP client, HTML preview, spell checking, and email support. The editor can use any language with the use of a language file. A syntax definition file editor is included. Adds HTML preview tab using Mozilla Active X Firefox component, both IE...
- Software downloads 2009-11-24
- BannerZest 2.1 (Mac)
- BannerZest is Flash presentation software for professional and amateur web designers. Turn your pictures into a flash slideshow with a few simple clicks and share it on your website. BannerZest doesn't require you to know or even possess Flash! BannerZest uses the concept of themes, that work like templates....
- Software downloads 2009-11-24
- BannerZest Pro 2.1 (Mac)
- BannerZest is Flash presentation software for professional and amateur web designers. Turn your pictures into a flash slideshow with a few simple clicks and share it on your website. BannerZest doesn't require you to know or even possess Flash! BannerZest uses the concept of themes, that work like templates....
- Software downloads 2009-11-24
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- Learn more about tools to grow your business
-
The Business Essentials Guide provides you useful tools and templates to help grow your business and save you time with automated shipping solutions.
- Save time with the UPS Business Essentials Guide
- New Online Dashboard for IT Leaders
-
Read about top issues IT decision-makers face every day, plus get cost-effective solutions to real-life IT problems.
- Learn more >>
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online - Free Six-Month Trial for Eligible Organizations
-
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online provides fast online access, simple contact management and better sales performance for a low monthly cost - the best value on the market today.
- Learn more about the free, six-month trial offer>>
SmartPlanet
- Thought-provoking progressive ideas on diverse topics that intersect with technology, business, and life, and matter to the world at large. Visit SmartPlanet
- More from IBM
-
- How to Drive Better Business Outcomes with Exceptional Web Experiences Download the eBook
- Driving Business Agility through SOA Connectivity & Integration Read the White Paper from IBM
- Linking Decisions and Information for Organizational Performance Read the Tom Davenport study
