FTP stands for file transfer protocol. It allows you to move copies of files between two computers that are a part of the Internet, usually your own local workstation and a remote computer located somewhere else.
FTP is one of the oldest Internet services. In the past it was a primarily command-driven process, with you as the user typing in the specific commands needed to retrieve or place particular files.
The two types of files you will encounter are either ascii or text files or binary files. The HTML (.html or .htm) files that you will create as you build your web pages in a later assignment are ascii or text files. Files that end in the extension .txt are also text files. Image files (e.g. .gif or .jpg) are binary files. Software programs, sound files, and word processed files are also examples of binary files. This distinction is important because you must specify the type of file you are transferring BEFORE you transfer it. Otherwise,it may not download in a usable state.
Anonymous FTP
Anonymous FTP is a service that allows you to connect to computers on which you do not have an account and still retrieve or place files. Where designated by your FTP software, enter the this information:
machine address -- host.is.somewhere
userid -- anonymous
password -- your email address or the word guest
The machine address is the location to which you are connecting. The userid, anonymous, indicates to the remote system that you are a visitor and should receive limited access (usually to the /pub subdirectory), and the password, your email address, helps the site administrator track who is connecting to his or her site.
Non-Anonymous or "Personal" FTP
This type of FTP allows you to place or retrieve files to and from accounts that are your own or to which you have access. It uses the same FTP software. For machine name, you would enter the machine address that houses your computer account. You then enter your account userid and password. Once you have successfully connected, you may place your files in the appropriate subdirectory.
The Web provides a uniform environment for using different Internet services. Many web sites provide FTP access to files. By following the page links, you descend deeper into file directories until you find the desired file. The type of file, text or binary, is automatically handled by your web browser.
The URL for an ftp site is written like this: ftp://site.address.somewhere/subdirectory/.
Additional Reading
UIC ADN Computer Center. (2000, July 14). Transferring Files Between Computers with FTP  . Retrieved September 11, 2003 from the World Wide Web: http://www.uic.edu/depts/accc/network/ftp/vftp.html
Describes the command-line process for using FTP.
Yahoo! (2001). FTP Sites . Retrieved September 11, 2003 from the World Wide Web.
FTP for Kent State University Students
Many computer labs on the Kent campus are equipped with FTP software. This software permits you to enter the address of the computer to which you wish to connect. There is also space to enter your userid and password, and specify the type of file you are transferring.
FTP software is available for downloading so you can install in on your own computer. Download links for both Windows and Mac are available on this page: http://helpdesk.kent.edu/software . Use the "find in page" option to quickly locate the FTP links.
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