A FTP server, or File Transfer Protocol server, is a technology that enables users to efficiently transfer files across a network. Individuals and businesses can use an FTP server to streamline file transfers and increase productivity. These servers offer a secure and dependable solution for file sharing in the digital age.
With an FTP server, users can benefit from streamlined file transfers and improved data security. This technology enables efficient file sharing across networks, making it an essential tool for individuals and businesses seeking to simplify their workflow.
Let’s continue reading to find out more about FTP servers.
What is an FTP Server?
An FTP server acts as a central hub for file storage and retrieval. It resides on a computer specifically configured to accept file transfer requests initiated by other computers, known as FTP clients. These clients can be standalone software applications or even built-in features within web browsers.
There are two main roles involved in an FTP transfer:
- FTP Client: Initiates file transfers by connecting to the server, issuing commands like upload or download, and specifying the files involved.
- FTP Server: Listens for incoming connections from clients, verifies user credentials, and executes the requested file transfer actions.
The communication between the client and server follows a specific set of rules defined by the FTP protocol. This ensures a standardised and reliable file transfer process across different operating systems and network configurations.
You might want to read our other article about cloud servers before we go any further into the topics related to FTP servers. There, we go over its definition and how it can benefit small businesses. For more details, see our article titled, “Cloud Servers for Small Business: What They Are and the Best Options to Select”.
Types of FTP Servers
FTP servers come in various flavours, each catering to specific needs and security considerations. However, there are two types that are commonly found. Which are
- FTP Secure (FTPS): This type of FTP server adds an extra layer of encryption using the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols.
- SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP): This is an SSH-compatible secure file transfer subsystem. SFTP is a popular method for securely transferring files between remote systems. SFTP encrypts both data and commands before transmitting them in specifically formatted binary packets via a single, secure SSH connection.
Features and Capabilities of FTP Servers
In general, FTP servers are software solutions that enable file transfers over the internet.
To be more specific, the Solarwinds blog explains that one of the features of an FTP server is to provide two functions: “Put” and “Get.” It allows you to upload files (Put) from your client device to the server and download files from the server back to your device (Get).
Additionally, FTP servers can support multiple simultaneous connections, allowing for the efficient transfer of large files. Furthermore, they often have user authentication and access control features to ensure security and privacy during file transfers.
Apart from that, here are all the features and capabilities of an FTP server:
- Exchange Large Size Files: Sharing large files via email is typically difficult for organisations. Because of their size, large files frequently cause file sharing to break for businesses handling massive volumes of data. Large files can be easily shared by organisations thanks to the FTP server.
- Enhance Security: Sensitive data transmission across networks requires a high degree of security, which is the main reason FTP servers are used. To add even more security, FTP servers also support other secure file transfer protocols, like FTP Secure (FTPS) and SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). Effective end-to-end encryption is ensured by these protocols to protect files while they are in transit.
- Optimise Workflows: Enterprises can overcome productivity challenges by streamlining the file sharing process with FTP servers. With the right software application, users can share large amounts of data rather than just one file at a time. Centralising files reduces the time it takes to locate a file, and scheduled transfers help to avoid delays or interruptions across workflows.
- Improve Control: FTP servers give companies more control over their data by offering intelligent access controls. Based on permissions, administrators can easily decide who can edit, upload, download, or share files because each user needs a different set of permissions to access different types of files.
- Reliable Disaster Recovery: After a disaster, an efficient FTP server makes sure that organisational files and data are not lost or compromised. Proactively storing data at different locations for simple restoration when necessary is made easier with continuous and automatic backup.
File Transfer Methods
There are 3 FTP transfers methods: stream mode, block mode, and compressed mode.
Stream Mode is the default mode, which transfers data from FTP to TCP in stream bytes. Block Mode transfers data from FTP to TCP in the form of blocks, each followed by a 3-byte header. Compressed Mode is used for transferring large files.
There are also several methods for establishing an FTP connection and transferring files. These include command-line FTP, web browsers, and FTP clients.
Command-line FTP is a simple method that uses the Command Prompt in Windows or the Terminal in Mac/Linux. The user can also communicate with the FTP server via a web browser. FTP clients are software that run on the user’s computer and allow the user to communicate with and download files from remote computers.
Some of the commands include: get filename (retrieve a file from the server), mget filename (retrieve multiple files from the server), and ls.
That is all you should know about FTP servers. Another important type of server is a storage server, which allows you to save data over the internet. Check out our article, “Storage Servers for Small Businesses: What They Are and the Best Options”, for more information on the subject.
Conclusion
Secure and effective file transfers across networks are still made possible in large part by FTP servers. They are essential to today’s digital ecosystem because of their wide variety, strong features, and adaptable file transfer options. A business or individual can use FTP servers to exchange and manage data seamlessly by knowing the subtleties of these servers.
If you’re looking to make your file storage more efficient and secure, migrating to the cloud could be the solution for your small business.
Axle Network offers a file storage migration to cloud services to help you with that. Our services are handled by expert teams with flexible solutions to ensure a seamless process.
Trusted by the government and enterprises, we are a reliable choice for small businesses looking to upgrade their file storage capabilities. With our proven track record and dedication to customer satisfaction, you can trust us to handle your migration to the cloud efficiently and securely.
