• What can you do with ftp?
• Where to get it
• A few simple operations
• Hints about anonymous ftp servers.

Ftp is the best way to exchange files on the Net. The abbreviation "ftp" stands for "file transfer protocol". This protocol provides instructions for the computers that exchange the files. Protocols, such as ftp, or TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), or http (hypertext transfer protocol) are sets of rules that computers use for the exchange of information when they send signals back and forth.

What can you do with ftp?

Then what can you do with ftp? Well, ftp is particularly useful for the exchange of large files among computers. Imagine that you need an important document from a colleague of yours, or from a database. The remote computer could be of any kind, not necessarily the same operating system - or a server. The latter is the case when, for instance, we download an updated version of a browser from the Net. Another very frequent use of ftp is when people upload files or Web pages that they have created - they contact their Internet provider's server and use an ftp program to transfer copies of the files to it. That is how all Internet files are changed or updated.

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Where to get it

Where to get ftp? A ftp client, as the software is often called, is generally available from most Internet providers, and many operating systems have an ftp interface (Windows 95, Windows NT and OS/2). Moreover, when Web browsers allow us to download files from the Net they actually use ftp, without prompting the user to start another program. Nevertheless, you might need to download an ftp client from the Net. Among those that can be downloaded, there is Fetch 3.0.3. for MAC users (find more informations or download it at Dartmouth College). WS_FTP is instead designed for Windows users (click here for more information).

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A few simple operations

Once your software is installed, you are ready to transfer files by establishing a connection with the server (also called "host", or "remote computer", depending on the program). To open an ftp session, the client will need three pieces of information from you:

• the name of the host to which you want to connect
• a user name
• a password

Once you have logged on, a list of directories (folders) and files will be shown. Select the folders you want to open and the files you want to download (or upload, i.e. put on the server). You need to choose a mode for your download - "automatic" is often the best, another option is "binary". Your client will start downloading, and will then tell you when the download is complete.

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Hints about anonymous ftp servers

One does not necessarily need to have an account on a server - with user name and password - to download a file. Anonymous ftp allows users to copy files from remote computers without having an account already. That will be files which are publicily accessible. There are lots of servers that provide anonymous ftp access, where files are stored and made available for others to copy freely. We suggest you to try the following ftp archives:

• Tucows
• SUNET
• University of Vaasa
• Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand
• Tile.Net/FTP/ - a search engine which can connect you to a huge number of anonymous ftp servers.

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If you are trying to transfer publicly accessible files, then use the word "anonymous" for the login. When prompted for a password, supply your full email address as a courtesy to the administrators of the system you are logging in to. We wish you an enjoyable download!

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