File Transfer Protocol

• File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is the Internet tool used to copy files from one computer to another.
• Public FTP archives will permit anyone to make copies of their files.
• Anyone can download and use these files by using special FTP client software, because these public archives usually require visitors to use the world “anonymous” as an account name, they are known as anonymous FTP archives.
• It is not always necessary to use an FTP client to download files from an FTP site. Web browsers also support FTP.
• In fact, if you visit a Web site such as Microsoft (www.microsoft.com/) or Macromedia (www.macromedia.com/), you can download programs and data files directly onto your computer through your Web browsers.
• This type of file transfer usually is an FTP operations; it is available through many different Web sites.
• FTP sites provide access to many different types of files.
• Computer hardware and software companies frequently host their own FTP sites, where you can copy program updates, bug solutions, and other types of software.
• One way to find files is to use Archie, the searchable index of FTP archives maintained by McGill University in Montreal.
• Many FTP client programs provide Archive search tools, and some Web sites enable you to conduct Archie searches through your Web browser.