ftp command

Detailed Explanation

The ftp command is the user interface to the Internet standard File Transfer Protocol (FTP). It allows users to transfer files to and from a remote network site. Like telnet, standard FTP is insecure because it transfers data and credentials in plaintext. Secure alternatives include SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) or FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS).

Basic Syntax

ftp [options] [host]

Common Flags/Options

Option	Description
-p	Use passive mode for data transfers. Allows use in environments where a firewall prevents connections from the outside world.
-i	Turns off interactive prompting during multiple file transfers.
-n	Restrains ftp from attempting "auto-login" upon initial connection.

Common Interactive Commands

Once connected to an FTP prompt (ftp> ), you can use these commands:

• ls or dir: List files in the remote directory.
• cd: Change directory on the remote server.
• lcd: Change directory on your local machine.
• get <file>: Download a single file.
• mget <pattern>: Download multiple files.
• put <file>: Upload a single file.
• mput <pattern>: Upload multiple files.
• bin: Switch to binary transfer mode (essential for non-text files).
• ascii: Switch to ASCII transfer mode (for text files).
• quit or bye: Exit the FTP session.

Real-world Examples

Connect to an FTP server:

ftp ftp.example.com

Connect using passive mode (often needed behind NAT/firewalls):

ftp -p ftp.example.com

(Inside the FTP prompt) Download a file:

ftp> get readme.txt