File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
On a computer network, the file transfer protocol is a common communication protocol that is used to move computer files from a server to a client. Separate control and data connections are used between the client and the server in the client-server architecture that underpins the File Transfer Protocol.
FTP was first designed to facilitate file transfers and communications between two physical machines. These days, it's also frequently used to store files in the cloud, which is typically a safe location that can be accessed from a distance. Websites can use it to upload or download files from their servers, and individuals or businesses can use it to move files across computer systems.
Diagram of File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
The FTP's basic model is depicted in the above figure. The user interface, control process, and data transfer procedure are the three parts of the FTP client. The server control process and the server data transfer process are the two parts of the server.
Working of File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
FTP is a client-server protocol with two channels of communication: a data channel for file content and a command channel for controlling conversations.
The following stages are listed as how FTP operates:
- An FTP server requires a user to log in before accessing content; however, some servers offer anonymous FTP, which allows content access without requiring a login.
- When a client requests a file download, the server might initiate communication.
- forth the server, the user can initiate various operations such as uploading, deleting, renaming, copying, and so forth.
Types of File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
There are four different protocols that can be used for FTP data transfers:
Vanilla FTP
This communication protocol's standard configuration is known as vanilla FTP or plain FTP. In this case, there is no encryption used to transmit the data or user credentials. Vanilla FTP has the greatest compatibility among the three FTP formats and usually connects to the internet via port number 21.
FTPS
This shorthand stands for File Transfer Protocol over explicit transport layer security, which is another name for FTP Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and uses SSL encryption, unlike traditional FTP. There are a few differences between FTPS and other types of encrypted FTP, but the most notable is the security that comes with FTPS. It adds several extra commands to traditional FTP for added functionalities.
FTPES
The short form of FTPES stands for File Transfer Protocol over explicit transport layer security. It uses port 21 as a regular FTP connection, but special commands convert it into a TLS/SSL encrypted connection. Many users prefer FTPES to FTPS because it is compatible with firewalls.
SFTP
Using a secure shell, or SSH, as its foundation, SFTP implements a completely different protocol than FTPS. While SFTP employs a single connection, FTP and FTPS use several connections. It encrypts the data files being transported as well as the authentication data.
Advantages of File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
- One of the benefits of File Transfer Protocol FTP is the ability to transmit files across a network between two computers.
- One of the key advantages of FTP is speed.
- It is more efficient because we don't need to complete every action in order to retrieve the entire file.
- We need to access the FTP server by logging in using the username and password. FTP may therefore be regarded as more secure.
- We can use FTP to transfer the files back and forth. Assume you are the management of the company and you send information to each employee, who responds on the same server.
Disadvantages of File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
- One of the main disadvantages of FTP is that data is not encrypted.
- Although we utilize login IDs and passwords to make FTP secure, hackers can still target them.
- The disadvantage of FTP is the file size limit. Files up to 2 GB in size can only be transferred.
- The FTP protocol does not support multiple receivers.
