File Transfer Protocol

Sharing files over the Internet is very easy even at the comfort of your own home. You can run your own FTP server on your own computer. File transfer protocol is known to be the most secure way to transfer files over the Internet. Running an FTP site or server can somehow guarantee that you get the files transferred in a secured and timely manner. Having your own FTP server is easy too. It can allow you to have full control over those who may login to get files from your computer, what files they may access and whether they will be able to upload files.

To create your own file transfer protocol server, you will need some things. First, you need to have an Internet connection and file transfer protocol server software. When choosing your FTP server software, you can consider your budget because they come in different price ranges. The best FTP server software for you is one that can handle the number of people accessing your files, how often you will run the server and of course, how much money you are planning to spend. If you do not intend to publicize your FTP server, there is free FTP server software available online so money would not be an issue.

As mentioned before, you can control those who may access your files. With that, remember to not give permissions to all users. Also, control the bandwidth to be used. You may want to control the number of people accessing your server at the same time. Not only for your convenience but for theirs as well since you may suffer from slow transfers. It is a good idea if you do not allow multiple logins on your server too.

There are a lot of other things you should remember when setting up your own file transfer protocol server. However, be assured that they are simple and not so complicated. 

File transfer protocol or FTP is probably the most secure method of exchanging and sharing files over the Internet. A common use of the file transfer protocol is when you download files from the Internet for your own use. You can say that FTP is the foundation of the mp3 craze online. FTP is also useful and vital to online auctions and games. Whether you are an amateur or a professional Web page maker, the FTP’s ability to transfer several files back and forth makes it essential in creating Web pages.

However, keep in mind that an FTP site is not required in downloading or transferring files into your computer. Still, an FTP address is useful especially if you are dedicated to using FTP connection referred to as FTP site or FTP server. An FTP site is a huge storage of files wherein one may be required to login or may use it anonymously. The use of usernames and passwords will depend on the maker of the site. The anonymity feature is one factor why many do not know the existence of FTP sites.

As easy as downloading files on the Internet, without proper protection, viruses and other cookies may be transferred to your computer without your knowledge. Thus, the use of file transfer protocol ensures a safe and secured sharing of files over the Internet.

Users are presented with different set of commands by most FTP clients that are using command-line.  Some of the most common commands are based on the IETF standardized RFC 959.  Below is a comprehensive list of File Transfer Protocol commands that is shared to users and hope that it will help one in securely transferring files.

To abort an active file transfer, users can perform the command “ABOR”.  For account information, the command to be used is “ACCT”.  The Authentication/Security data command is “ADAT.  For users who want to allocate enough or sufficient space for the disk when receiving a file, the command would be “ALLO.  To append a data, use “APPE”.  For the Authentication or Security Mechanism, “AUTH” command should be used.

To clear channel command, the “CCC” is to be used.  If a user wants to change to parent directory, “CDUP” is the File Transfer Protocol command for it.  The command for the confidentiality protection is “CONF”.  To change working directory, “CWD” is the right command.  If you want to delete a file, use the “DELE” command.  For Privacy Protected Channel, you have to type the command “ENC”.  In specifying or indicating an address and port extension to which server would be connected, your command should be “EPRT” while for the long one use the “LPRT”.  If you are entering an extended mode that is passive, use “EPSV” while for long passive mode use “LPSV”.

If you want the server to implement the feature list, “FEAT” is the right File Transfer Protocol command for it.  The language negotiation uses the “LANG” command.  Typing the “LIST” command returns the information of a specified directory or file.  If you are wondering what the “MDTM” command is, it returns the specified file’s last modified time.  Meanwhile, the command for Integrity protected is “MIC”.  To make a directory, “MKD” command is used.  For username authentication and password commands, “USER” and “PASS” is applied.

Basically most of these File Protocol Transfer commands are easy to remember because it is simple and is usually abbreviated close to the word.

The FTPS explicit – This is a File Transfer Protocol standard’s extension which permits the client to request encryption of the FTP session.  To do this, one uses and sends the command “AUTH TLS”.  This gives option for the server to deny or allow connections that has no TLS request.  The RFC 4217 is a proposed standard which defines this extension protocol.

The FTPS implicit – This is a File Transfer Protocol denounced standard that requires one to use the TLS or SSL connection.  This method specifies the use of different ports rather than using just the plain FTP.

The SSH File Transfer Protocol or SFTP – This is not at all related to FTP but it is has the same set of commands for users to perform file transfers.

The File Transfer Protocol over SSH – Note that the SSH referred here is not the SFTP.  This method suggests the system of channelling the FTP normal session over the SSH connection.  It is actually challenging to channel over SSH since there are various TCP connections that are in used by FTP.  What happens here is that with numerous clients of SSH that attempt to set up a passageway for the control channel will enable only the protection of that particular channel.  When transfer of data is performed, either ends of the FTP software will arrange new data channels or TCP connections which dodges the SSH connection therefore it provides no integrity protection or confidentiality.