FTP server from A to Z. FTP protocol (SFTP, FTPS) - what is it, connection between client and server via FTP

We've released a new book, Social Media Content Marketing: How to Get Inside Your Followers' Heads and Make Them Fall in Love with Your Brand.

More videos on our channel - learn internet marketing with SEMANTICA

This technology is one of the most popular for downloading and uploading data from/to remote servers distributed around the world.

Ftp systems are used to create websites. All information related to the Internet resource is stored on the FTP server. When a developer needs to make some adjustments to the site, he goes to the server, downloads the file that needs to be corrected, and then uploads it back. And that's it, the change took effect. It's fast and convenient.

What does an FTP server look like?

The visual presentation depends on the system through which you are logging in. There are special programs like FileZilla, in which data is displayed in the form of the familiar Total Commander.

Many hosting sites have their own management system, which also looks like a familiar set of folders and files.

Features of FTP server

Let's take a closer look at the technical aspects and tell you what an ftp server is and how it works.

The main function of FTP is to transfer files.

In addition to uploading and uploading information, various commands are available with which you can manage files and directories:

Authentication required.
Availability of a dedicated channel for each connection.
Supports 2 data transfer modes: text and binary (in the binary system). The second option reduces time and traffic.
Use of multiple connections, at least two-channel. Through one, control commands are transmitted and processed responses are returned. With the help of others, file transfer is carried out based on a dedicated channel for each.

How to connect to an FTP server

To enter the server, you need to fill out an authorization form, in other words, pass authentication. After entering the login (user) and password (pass), this information is transferred to the system. If accepted, the client will receive an invitation and the work session will open.

There are login options without specifying registration data. In this case, the options available to the visitor will be limited.

There is another option for logging into an FTP server - anonymous access. By default, login occurs when you enter the login “anonymous”; the spelling may differ in the case of letters. However, the most common method is when they offer to log in using an email address. This access option is used by many FTP hosts that send out software updates.

To connect, you can use a web browser or file managers such as Total Commander, FileZilla. Through the browser, you will be able to view and download files, but you will not be able to make changes.

It is more convenient to work through the FileZilla client program (available for free download).

Create a new connection as follows:

In the “Host” field, enter the FTP server address.
Fill in the fields “User name”, “Password” and, if necessary, “Port”.

Where can I get the address? If you connect to a server hosted on a host, the site owner has all access; it was provided by the provider.

What else is FTP used for?

Website files are the most common use case, but that's not all that resides on FTP servers.

There you can store any work or personal information of large volumes, as an option, photographs, videos.

Almost any information that is used daily by millions of people is posted on FTP storages. This is software, demo versions of programs, e-books, legislation, articles, films, music - everything that can be formatted in a file representation. Catalogs have been created on the Internet containing terabytes of useful or entertaining information. As a rule, it is available anonymously and does not require payment.

Disadvantages of FTP servers

Weak protection against hacking and attacks. Due to technical features, not only servers, but also clients can be damaged. Therefore, confidential information should not be stored on them.

There is no authentication of the source of the data transmission packet, which leads to vulnerability to DDoS attacks.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is one of the standard protocols created for TCP/IP and approved in 1971. It is used to download network pages from private devices to hosting servers.

What is FTP

Formally, FTP involves connecting to a specific folder located on the server via the Internet. Despite its impressive age, this protocol is still used to transfer files, access remote hosts, and distribute software.

Unlike HTTP, FTP is session-based, supports user authentication and text mode, and allows you to perform operations on the file system. Its main feature is that it allows multiple (in particular, binary) connections. One of the channels is a control channel - through it commands are sent to the server and responses are returned. The rest are used directly for data transfer. At the same time, FTP allows you to reduce traffic costs and time spent on sending large files.

FTP functions

To work with the protocol, standard UNIX commands are used. Their full list can be found by typing “help” or “?” in a special line. The most commonly used commands are:

open- establishes a connection to an FTP site. Used when accessing different servers during one session. Requires preliminary closing of the previous FTP site with the command close;
user- used to re-enter the username and password for authentication. The function is necessary in cases where the remote machine allows users with certain parameters;
bye or quit- used in parallel with close, closes all connections and ends the program;
remotehelp- opens help information on commands supported by the remote FTP server.

When working with functions, you must adhere to the following rules:

use the "/" character to separate directories;
monitor the use of lowercase and capital letters (case is important);
use prefixes that begin with a dot (optional).

Commands and, most often, auxiliary programs for FTP connections allow you to upload files to the server from your computer and vice versa, as well as change access rights to individual objects.

Programs for FTP connection

Specialized software is used for efficient and visual work with FTP servers. Most applications are aimed not only at professionals, but also at beginners who can easily cope with the intuitive interface. Let's look at the most popular programs that perform the functions of FTP clients.

Far Manager

Far Manager is an example of a console file manager developed for Windows OS by Russian programmer Evgeniy Roshal. The program features a recognizable two-window interface and a standard blue and white color scheme. Control is carried out through a system of commands entered from the keyboard. When working with FTP, access is supported through various types of proxy servers, searching and replacing characters in multiple files, and automatic resuming is triggered. It is freely distributed software.

Total Commander

Total Commander has its own FTP client, which allows you to perform all standard operations with files and folders: copy, cut, create, rename, delete, view, edit. Please note that FTP accesses are saved automatically in the client and are stored unencrypted. Total Commander is free software.

FileZilla

FileZilla is a popular open source FTP client with a multilingual interface. Designed for Windows, Linux and Mac OS. Supports FTP over SSL/TLS (aka FTPS), IPv6, IDN. It works with non-Latin domain zones, is capable of transferring large files (from 4 GB), and allows you to set download and transfer speed limits. Implemented support for Drag-and-drop, remote file editing, working with tabs and the download queue. It is freely distributed software.

WinSCP is a convenient graphical client for working with FTP. Designed for use in a Windows OS environment. It supports copying files in protected mode, automation using scripts, integration with Pageant, and also features a recognizable Norton Commander-style interface. The client provides the ability to save connection settings, synchronize folders using custom algorithms, and has a built-in text editor. It is freely distributed software.

FireFTP is not a standalone application, but an extension for the popular Mozilla FireFox browser. Provides access to the FTP server in a separate tab. After installation, the extension can be found in the “Tools” panel. The client works in two-window mode and allows you to perform standard operations: moving, adding, renaming, deleting. Implemented support for multiple accounts, encryption of connections, changing access rights to files and editing them without first downloading to a PC. It is freely distributed software.

A specific client to work with can be selected based on what FTP is needed for and what the tasks of working on the server are.

How to connect to hosting via FTP

Select the appropriate client and install it on your PC. Next, use the following information to log in to your hosting:

login and password;
server host or address;
port for connection (you must specify “21”).

Additionally, you may need to specify the server type and login method. Next, you need to click the button to connect and start working with files and folders. To choose how to open FTP, refer to the previous paragraph.

Many users do not even think about how the Global Network works. Sites are located on special FTP servers, which store all the necessary data, with the help of which we see the current Internet as it is. This article will talk about what is located on FTP servers, why they are needed, the principle of their operation and how to handle them using the Windows operating system and standard file managers.

What is an FTP server

At its core, FTP is a special Internet protocol that facilitates the transfer of information between a computer (client) and a server - a special computer designed exclusively for working with the Internet. In short, servers use much more powerful processors than conventional computers.

Servers were created to connect computers to each other. Each provider has its own servers, each hosting, large website, even games. To connect, the client will need to log in to the system, i.e., provide the necessary minimum information about himself, so that the server can more conveniently and efficiently transfer various data to the computer and back.

To put it in a very simplified way, an FTP server is a cloud storage that is used as its user wishes. Any data can be uploaded to this server, even family photos at sea. By the way, this type of server can be easily purchased on one of the various sites for selling or renting them, but if you want a personal one, you will have to buy your own server computer, connect it to the Internet, and you will get your own FTP server, of course, after it is fully settings in terms of software, etc.

What is most often located on FTP servers?

As a rule, FTP servers are used as cloud storage. Their prices depend on how much space your needs require. Only recently have they begun to be replaced by FTPS servers, which already have built-in data protection, but more on that in the next paragraph of the article.

FTP servers are also used by large IT companies to connect several offices into one. There is one company, several offices, but how to securely and remotely connect the work of many team members without using third-party resources? Of course, the choice falls on creating your own server, which is always at hand and does not require any extra costs other than electricity.

FTP server programs are installed on each of the work computers, after which any employee has access to the server space. This approach is also used in computer science classrooms, where they use one hard drive to connect all computers in the classroom to it. You can upload any files that you might need onto the server itself, but it is impossible to run them directly from the server, thereby providing an answer to the question of what is located on FTP servers. Let's look further at the issue of access.

Access to FTP server

Oddly enough, to connect to an FTP server you need a computer and a stable Internet connection, as well as Total Comander to connect to FTP. Of course, you can make a local network, only then only those who are connected to it using a twisted pair cable connected to the network adapter connector will be able to connect to the server.

There are the most FTP servers for Windows, because this is the most innovative and progressive operating system, and it is also easier and simpler to use, so Windows Server is installed on the servers, whose file system is the same as the Windows file system, thereby achieving maximum performance. Of course, you can install another operating system on the server, but this is only possible with the necessary knowledge in handling such software.

FTP server security level

As already mentioned, FTP servers are becoming less and less common, this fact is associated with numerous vulnerabilities of this approach, because information between the server and the client can pass through many connecting points (provider, other servers, sites, etc.). But the data itself is not encrypted in any way, but arrives in clear text.

The FTPS protocol is equipped with a special encryptor that is capable of encrypting and decrypting transmitted information between the client and the server, ensuring maximum data safety, so when choosing a server, pay attention to this fact.

We hope you now know what is located on FTP servers and why they are created in general. It is worth noting that using your own server you can create your own cloud storage and rent it out, thereby receiving considerable profit.

, including, Why do you need FTP access, its protection options and the current rating of FTP clients .

Using the FTP protocol, files and folders of files are transferred on the Internet. That is, the user can upload data to the server without using a browser. FTP on hosting is intended for uploading sites directly to the hosting itself.

Review of popular FTP and SSH clients for transferring files (data).

Let's first figure out what you need to know in order to upload a website to the hosting provider's server. First of all, this is the login, access password, and FTP server address. All these the data is usually sent in a letter from the hoster after ordering the service you have chosen.

To transfer data, it is recommended to use FTP clients, which make the user’s work much easier. When connecting a PC to a server using FTP, data is transferred through a TCP port (numbered from 1024 to 65535). In active mode, the port number is set by the user, in passive mode – by the hosting provider’s server. In most cases, hosters use passive mode.

How to secure FTP access? FTP hacks most often occur due to the fact that there are viruses on the computer of the user who uploads files via FTP. Such viruses steal logins and passwords and then gain access to your website. Therefore, if you use FTP upload be sure to make sure there are no malware on your PC, otherwise the consequences can be sad.

Good protection isusing SSH . The essence of this technology is as follows: SSH is essentially a key that the user and the server have. It allows you to encrypt information during transmission and decrypt it on the server. Therefore, while transferring data using these keys, it is impossible to hack and connect before the connection and your information is completely safe. like some other hosters provide SSH access for their users.

There is another method to secure FTP access.Using the .ftpaccess file It is possible to block FTP access for any directory on the server with saved files. To create such a file, you need to create the most common file ftpaccess.txt on your personal computer, in it make a record of IP addresses that can access via FTP access. Then you need to rename it to .ftpaccess and upload it to a folder that will be blocked. That's it.

For convenient work with FTP, specialFTP client programs. Among the most relevant and widely used areFilezilla, SmartFTP, Far Manager, Total Commander, AceFTP and others. More details .

How to connect to hosting via FTP using FileZilla.

Process creating FTP accounts on hosting depends on the pre-installed control panel, but regardless of whether it is cPanel, ISP manager or Parallels Plesk, the process is very similar and simple even for someone new to hosting management. You need to find the FTP accounts or FTP access section and manually create an FTP user there with the specified name and password.

How to create a new FTP account in Cpanel. .

To set up FTP connection , you need to use the following parameters: FTP server (host) – site domain name, technical address (if the domain is not directed to the hosting site) or server IP address, port – 21, username – FTP login, password – FTP password .

We hope our tips will help you in working with FTP. If you have any additional questions, please contact our 24/7 technical support. We will be happy to help you!

Most often, users use email or Skype to exchange small files online. However, when you need to send an archive of photographs or a film several gigabytes in size, these services cannot be used. Public file sharing also creates some difficulties, for example, waiting for a timer and limiting the speed. The best solution in this case is to create your own FTP server.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a protocol for transferring information on the Internet and local computer networks. This is a program that makes a remote connection to a dedicated folder for viewing and sharing files, including large ones. Data exchange is possible from a computer to a remote server and between other FTP servers.

Data is transmitted without traffic encryption, so attackers can easily gain access to logins and passwords. For secure file transfer, it is recommended to use a TLS-protected protocol - FTPS, which encrypts data.

Your own FTP server has certain advantages:

allows you to manage the server and its resources;
provide users with different access rights;
it does not require a static IP address.
no speed limits;
lack of payment to the hoster for hosting it;

The software is selected according to the complexity of the access. To create an FTP server for private use with minimal settings, free software packages are quite suitable.

Microsoft has added Internet Information Services (IIS) to Windows 7, which allows users to share access to a folder from the network. Therefore, to create an FTP server for Windows 7, you do not need to install any additional software.

Installing an FTP server

Some standard features that are not used very often are disabled by default in Windows 7. Therefore, in order to activate them, you need to follow a number of steps.

To create an FTP server on Windows 7 you need to:

Click “Start” and open the “Control Panel” section. For ease of viewing, you can select the “Small icons” mode.

Go to the "Programs and Features" section and select "Turn Windows features on or off."

In the list of the menu that opens, you need to select the components that should be activated by checking the box next to them. This is the “FTP Server” folder, there are two items in it: “FTP Extensibility” and “FTP Service”, as well as the “Website Management Tools” folder, and in it is the “IIS Management Console”. To start, click OK.

Setting up an FTP server

Now you need to go through “Start” to “Control Panel” again.
Find the “Administration” section and open “IIS Services Manager” in this section.
Go to the “Sites” tab, right-click on the name, and select “Add FTP sites” from the list.
In the new window you need to specify the name of the future FTP server and the path to the directory with its data. You can proceed to the next configuration step by clicking the “Next” button.
Now the server parameters are set. In the IP address field, select the one you need from the list. You can bind it to a specific address or make extended access by selecting “All free”. In this case, the standard port 21 should be checked. If you plan to constantly use the FTP server, then you should check the “Launch FTP site automatically” checkbox. Select the “No SSL” option; you can enable it later if necessary. Click “Next” again.
In a new window, the authorization type is specified. In the "Authentication" item, you can allow login for regular or anonymous users. Here you can configure rights for them. Click "Done".

After the installation is complete, a new FTP server will appear in the “Sites” section.

Setting up Windows Firewall

Now it is imperative to configure the Windows Firewall to open ports and allow services to function.

Go back to Control Panel, then Windows Firewall. Find the "Advanced Settings" section.

In it, select “Rules for incoming connections”. It is recommended to set them to passive mode. To do this, right-click and enable the “FTP Server Passive” and “FTP Server (incoming traffic)” rules. In the same way, for outgoing connections, enable the “FTP-Server” rule in the appropriate section.

Connecting users

In order for users to access the server, they must be connected.

In the “Control Panel” tab, open the “Administration” folder.

Administration section

Find the Computer Management section, then go to the Local Users folder. Right-click on the “Groups” line and select the “Create Group” function. In the new window, specify the name and short description of the group and click “Create”.
Now you can connect users to the created group. In the “Local Users” folder, right-click on the “Users” line and select “New” from the menu list. Fill in the fields by entering your name and password, and here you should check the prohibition on changing the password checkbox.
To connect a user, right-click on his account and select “Properties” from the menu list, then the “Group Membership” tab and the “Add” button. Find the created group, add and click OK. This procedure must be performed for all server users.
The next step is to determine the access rights of group users to the working directory. To do this, go to the “Site” directory, right-click on the name and open “Properties”. Next - the “Security” tab, in the “Change” item, specify the name of the group and click OK. Then you need to configure user rights.
Enter the “IIS Services Manager”, right-click on the line “FTP Authorization Rules”, add an allowing rule. You can allow users to write and delete data, or you can only read.

Server installation and configuration is complete. However, now you need to know how to log into the FTP server.

Standard Windows features make this easy. Just open the “My Computer” folder, then specify the path to the server in the address bar.

Another way is to create a shortcut for connecting to FTP on your computer desktop.

To do this, open the “Control Panel”, right-click the “Network Neighborhood” section. In tasks, select “Add a new element to the network environment,” then click on “Select another network location” and “Next.” Now a shortcut will appear in the “Network Location” section, which you just need to drag and drop onto your desktop.