File Transfer Protocol which is refred as FTP is a standard protocol for sharing resources over internet between different electronic devices which may be computers , laptops , mobiles band so on. It is a is a client-server protocol where a client will ask for a file, and a local or remote server will provide it. The end-users machine is typically called the local host machine, which is connected via the internet to the remote host—which is the second machine running the FTP software.

How FTP works

FTP is a client-server protocol that relies on two communications channels between client and server: a command channel for controlling the conversation and a data channel for transmitting file content. Clients initiate conversations with servers by requesting to download a file. Using FTP, a client can upload, download, delete, rename, move and copy files on a server. A user typically needs to log on to the FTP server, although some servers make some or all of their content available without login, known as anonymous FTP.

FTP sessions work in passive or active modes. In active mode, after a client initiates a session via a command channel request, the server initiates a data connection back to the client and begins transferring data. In passive mode, the server instead uses the command channel to send the client the information it needs to open a data channel. Because passive mode has the client initiating all connections, it works well across firewalls and Network Address Translation (NAT) gateways.

FTP

1. FTP stands for File transfer protocol.
2. FTP is a standard internet protocol provided by TCP/IP used for transmitting the files from one host to another.
3. It is mainly used for transferring the web page files from their creator to the computer that acts as a server for other computers on the internet.
4. It is also used for downloading the files to computer from other servers.

Objectives of FTP

1. It provides the sharing of files.
2. It is used to encourage the use of remote computers.
3. It transfers the data more reliably and efficiently.

Advantages of FTP:

1. Speed: One of the biggest advantages of FTP is speed. The FTP is one of the fastest way to transfer the files from one computer to another computer.
2. Efficient: It is more efficient as we do not need to complete all the operations to get the entire file.
3. Security: To access the FTP server, we need to login with the username and password. Therefore, we can say that FTP is more secure.
4. Back & forth movement: FTP allows us to transfer the files back and forth. Suppose you are a manager of the company, you send some information to all the employees, and they all send information back on the same server.

Disadvantages of FTP:

1. The standard requirement of the industry is that all the FTP transmissions should be encrypted. However, not all the FTP providers are equal and not all the providers offer encryption. So, we will have to look out for the FTP providers that provides encryption.
2. FTP serves two operations, i.e., to send and receive large files on a network. However, the size limit of the file is 2GB that can be sent. It also doesn't allow you to run simultaneous transfers to multiple receivers.
3. Passwords and file contents are sent in clear text that allows unwanted eavesdropping. So, it is quite possible that attackers can carry out the brute force attack by trying to guess the FTP password.
4. It is not compatible with every system.

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