FTP Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

The world of computers is full of acronyms, abbreviations, and file extensions. It can be difficult to keep up with what everything means. PDFs, GIFs, .xls, .docx, .exe, HTML, ASCII, and CPU are just a few. 

Learning the various terms will help you understand the technology you’re using a bit more. Let’s explore the meaning of FTP.

What Does FTP Mean?

FTP is an abbreviation that means file transfer protocol. A file transfer protocol is a system that’s used to transfer computer files typically through the internet. Another way to look at an FTP is the official procedure for exchanging information between computers over a network. 

An FTP can also refer to the program that implements the protocols to transfer the files. These data connections can use a passive connection to transfer files from a server to a computer quickly and easily.

You may hear a tech-savvy person use FTP as a verb to mean that they sent or received files from a remote computer using an FTP. 

Example:

• Scott is going to FTP that file to me in the next twenty minutes.

Outside of computers, FTP stands for Functional Threshold Power for cyclists. It is defined as the highest power average a person can sustain for about an hour. An FTP test is performed to assess a cyclist’s training intensities and measures training load. It’s considered an essential cycling test.

This definition may be interesting for cyclists interested in performing a ramp test, developing a training plan, or gauging the effects of their workouts, but by and large, this is a very niche definition.

What Is the Origin of FTP?

Today, FTP is considered a standard protocol in communication. FTP is used to transfer files on a server to a client on a computer network. FTP or file transfer protocol was first defined in April 1971. In the fifty years since, files have changed a lot since Abhay Bhushan wrote and published the original FTP protocol (RFC 114).

In June 1980, the original protocol was replaced with a transmission control protocol/internet protocol or TCP/IP networks version. First came the RFC 765 version and the version we still use today, which was introduced in October 1985. Amended versions have added features like:

• Firewall-Friendly FTP – aka Passive Mode (February 1994)
• Security Extensions (June 1997)
• Support for IPv6 (September 1998)
• New Type of Passive Mode (also 1998)

Not only is FTP a protocol for communication, but that communication is all about data transference. The transfer of files on FTP is essentially like sending copy files through a command channel established between the server and recipient.

An FTP needs two ports because it was originally designed to work on a Network Control Program (NCP), and this simple protocol required two port addresses. 

Another aspect of FTP that dates its conception is its security weaknesses. Typically, for security purposes, an FTP will be placed on an organization’s local area network (LAN) to keep information within the local system. This keeps would-be hackers from accessing any computer system within the organization using an FTP backchannel.

How Do You Use FTP?

In FTP, there are three types of transmission modes:

• Stream
• Block
• Compressed

In stream mode, the data is streamed continuously. In block mode, the data is sent in blocks of information using record-oriented files for transferring. In compressed mode, block mode is extended through data compression using a run-length encoding.

FTP uses something most of us already know. FTP grants access with a login. The login is just like when you use a username and password. The FTP server receives a USER command with the username and a PASS command with the password. These login credentials are somewhat protective.

An anonymous FTP is a form of access provided by the host. The username for login is an anonymous account, and the password is commonly an email address, although the password is not needed. Actual verification is not performed. Software updates are an example of server hosts that use anonymous FTP access.

Web browsers can commonly retrieve files that are hosted on FTP servers. Some protocol extensions, like FTPS, may not always be supported. Common web browsers should have no big problems with FTP for data transfer.

Mobile devices have FTP incorporated into their applications to make the process faster and easier by using HTML editors. Most will perform FTP on their default setting.

What Is SFTP?

There is a protocol similar to FTP known as SFTP, which stands for Secure Shell (SSH File transfer protocol). Unlike FTP, SFTP is based on an encrypted connection, and it can also mean a secure file transfer protocol. This was developed as a way to protect the client and the server. This blocks infiltratio and data theft.

In order to run an SFTP, an SSH server is needed. In addition to SFTP, transport layer security (TLS) is used from the start like a regular FTP but then gives special commands to upgrade the file transfer to the more secure TLS/SSL.

In FTP transactions, the computer receiving the files is called the local host. The second computer, or typically the server, is the remote host in an FTP. For the file transfer to be successful, a connection via a network must be established. Proper configuration is essential as well. 

What About HTTP?

Although, we rely heavily on HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) for many of our file transfers. Specifically, HTTP is used for internet pages, but FTP is still common when downloading new applications with web browsers.

If you need a free FTP client to help you with your FTP-ing, here are a few FTP clients out there:

• FileZilla Client
• CoffeeCup Free FTP
• WinSCP
• CORE FTP
• FTP Voyager

Are There Synonyms for FTP?

Synonyms express the same meaning as the original word. Here are some synonyms for FTP:

• Anonymous file transfer protocol
• Communications protocol
• Protocol
• File Transfer Protocol
• FTPES

Are There Antonyms for FTP?

Antonyms mean the opposite of the word. Here are some antonyms for FTP:

• Upload
• Download
• Export
• Import

Past and Present Terms for FTP

When FTP is used as a verb, it is a transitive verb. It can be used at FTP-ed or FTP-ing.

Here are examples of using both:

• I had the file FTP-ed earlier, so we’re good to go.
• I’ll be FTP-ing the file in the morning before the meeting starts.

Examples of FTP

• All files must be sent via FTP.
• An alert went off to signal an FTP upload.
• FTP will be the fastest way I can securely send you the file.
• Mike FTP-ed the images we needed for the presentation.
• The server initiates a data channel with the client.
• FTP clients are not needed to download files.
• Do I need Filezilla for FTP?

Try to use FTP in a sentence today!

Source:

1. FTP Definition & Meaning | Merriam-Webster 
2. FTP | Britannica 
3. Ftp | Encyclopedia.com