File Transfer Protocol

"FTP" redirects here. For other uses, see FTP (disambiguation).

File Transfer Protocol
Communication protocol
PurposeFile transfer
Developer(s)Abhay Bhushan for RFC 114
IntroductionApril 16, 1971; 53 years ago (1971-04-16)
OSI layerApplication layer
Port(s)21 for control, 20 for data transfer
RFC(s)RFC 959
Internet protocol suite
Application layer
Transport layer
Internet layer
Link layer
Internet history timeline

Early research and development:

Merging the networks and creating the Internet:

Commercialization, privatization, broader access leads to the modern Internet:

Examples of Internet services:

The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard communication protocol used for the transfer of computer files from a server to a client on a computer network. FTP is built on a client–server model architecture using separate control and data connections between the client and the server.[1] FTP users may authenticate themselves with a plain-text sign-in protocol, normally in the form of a username and password, but can connect anonymously if the server is configured to allow it. For secure transmission that protects the username and password, and encrypts the content, FTP is often secured with SSL/TLS (FTPS) or replaced with SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP).

The first FTP client applications were command-line programs developed before operating systems had graphical user interfaces, and are still shipped with most Windows, Unix, and Linux operating systems.[2][3] Many dedicated FTP clients and automation utilities have since been developed for desktops, servers, mobile devices, and hardware, and FTP has been incorporated into productivity applications such as HTML editors and file managers.

An FTP client used to be commonly integrated in web browsers, where file servers are browsed with the URI prefix "ftp://". In 2021, FTP support was dropped by Google Chrome and Firefox,[4][5] two major web browser vendors, due to it being superseded by the more secure SFTP and FTPS; although neither of them have implemented the newer protocols.[6][7]

  1. ^ Forouzan, B.A. (2000). TCP/IP: Protocol Suite (1st ed.). New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited.
  2. ^ Kozierok, Charles M. (2005). "The TCP/IP Guide v3.0". Tcpipguide.com.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference net+ was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Vonau, Manuel (7 July 2021). "Firefox follows in Chrome's footsteps and drops FTP support (APK Download)". Android Police. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Remove FTP support - Chrome Platform Status". www.chromestatus.com. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  6. ^ by, Written (23 March 2020). "Firefox is dropping FTP support". Sophos News. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  7. ^ Edwards, Benj (14 July 2022). "Chrome and Firefox Killed FTP Support: Here's an Easy Alternative". How-To Geek. Retrieved 13 October 2023.