8. FTP

This chapter describes how to start and use the FTP program supplied with nfsAxe.

The FTP program is a client implementation (i.e. a user interface) of ARPANET standard File Transfer Protocol. FTP allows you to transfer both text and binary files and directories between your PC and remote computers running the server implementation of File Transfer Protocol (on multiple server platforms) over the Internet and intranets.

By using the FTP program, you can:

• Set up parameters and modes for operations
  
  
• Navigate through directory structures on your PC or remote FTP servers
  
  
• Make/Remove a local/remote directory
  
  
• Select directories and files in a local/remote directory
  
  
• Copy/Rename/Delete selected local/remote files and directories
  
  
• Transfer selected files and directories between two remote FTP servers
  
  
• View a local/remote file (in Notepad)
  
  
• Append a file from your PC to a file on a remote FTP server
  
  
• Execute FTP commands on a remote FTP server.

FTP operations may be done either by direct insecure access to a remote host or through one of the established SSH1/SSH2 protocol connections as well. You can access resources you need from behind your corporate firewalls. Also, FTP supports the SFTP mode.

While you are connected, you can perform a number of tasks (commands) on the remote computer (FTP server) by using its various options.

FTP must run on a machine that is configured for TCP/IP network communication or Internet access. Access can be gained through Winsock and the use of any dial-up provider, a Remote Access Server (RAS), or a direct connection via a local area network that supports TCP/IP. In order for FTP to communicate with a remote computer, that computer must have a server implementation of FTP (FTP server based on the TCP/IP transports).

You can be connected to only one or two remote computer at a time during a FTP session. However, you can run multiple FTP sessions (FTP clients) simultaneously in separate windows, with each session connected to a different host.