FTP Software & Anonymous FTP Servers

FTP Software
Depending on what you are planning to do with your FTP software you should pick different ones. There are hundreds of free pieces of software so there is a very good choice. The three software packages are:

- Cute FTP : It used to be the best shareware FTP program around. It is easy to use and has many functions. Unfortunately, because it has become so popular, the latest version only allows you to transfer one file at a time unless you register. If you can find a copy of version 2.6.* it is an excellent program.

- FTP Explorer : It is not such a good program as Cute FTP but it is freeware so there are no annoying nag-screens. It can be downloaded here.

- Elite FTP : It is not such a good program for uploading standard files it works better if you are working with CGI as you can send commands to the server by typing them in.

Anonymous FTP Servers
A host that provides an FTP service may additionally provide anonymous FTP access. Users typically login to the service with an 'anonymous' account when prompted for user name. Although users are commonly asked to send their email address in lieu of a password, little to no verification is actually performed on the supplied data.
The login id for the public accounts on most anonymous FTP servers is anonymous, and guest is also common. The password can be anything, but most anonymous FTP service machines will ask you to enter your complete email address as your password.

Overview Of File Transfer Protocol

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used to exchange and manipulate files over a TCP/IP based network, such as the Internet. FTP is built on a client-server architecture and utilizes separate control and data connections between the client and server applications.

The objectives of FTP are :
* To promote sharing of files (computer programs and/or data).
* To encourage indirect or implicit use of remote computers.
* To shield a user from variations in file storage systems among different hosts.
* To transfer data reliably, and efficiently.

What FTP does ?
It works by establishing a connection between one computer (for example, your PC) and another (for example, your Web server). To do this, you need to know the host name (e.g."webserver.example.com") or IP address (e.g. "12.34.56.78") of your Web server. Your FTP program will allow you to enter lots of different servers if you want (by host name or IP address), and usually you can double-click on one of them to connect to it.
- Logging in
Once connected, the Web server usually asks you for your user name and password.
- Transferring files
You're then logged in to your Web server. Once you're logged in, you can start moving files about. On most FTP programs, this works a lot like Windows Explorer or other similar file managers.
- The home directory
When you first log in, you will be viewing your home directory on your Web server. This will be the directory that contains your website, amongst other files.
- Going dotty
Some FTP programs will show two extra entries in the folder display - a single dot and a pair of dots. The single dot means "this directory" and usually does nothing, but the pair of dots mean "the directory above".