FTP and FTP client simply explained
FTP, short for File Transfer Protocol, enables file transfer between multiple computers. What this means exactly, how FTP works and what an FTP client is, we have summarized for you in this practical tip.
FTP: what is it?
FTP is short for "File Transfer Protocol", which means "file transfer protocol".
- So FTP is a protocol that allows communication between two devices and the transfer of files between them.
- FTP is often used to transfer files to an HTTP server, for example to publish a website.
- If you connect to an FTP server, you can access the file system of the server and thus transfer, change or delete files.
- You can access FTP servers via the direct command prompt or with programs such as FileZilla, Cyberduck or fireFTP, which are clearer due to their graphic interface.
- To access an FTP server, you need the server's IP address, a user name and a password. The default FTP port is 21.
FTP client: what does this mean?
In IT, a client is understood to be a device or a program that accesses a server.
- In the case of FTP, there is also a client that connects to the FTP server.
- In the example above, the device hosting the website is the server. The device, or the program used to access this server, is the client.
- Within FTP technology, a client always accesses a server. In order to use your computer as a client or as a server, there are different programs.
Even without a program, you can access FTP servers via the browser.