FTP stands for 'File Transfer Protocol', which, as the name would suggest, is designed to allow files to be transferred over the Internet. It is still one of the most popular and quickest way to transfer large amounts of files on the Internet. An FTP address has a similar syntax to a website's address. The prefix is 'ftp://' instead of 'http://'.

FTP is part of the application layer of the ISO/OSI network model and is the most popular way that web site owners / webmasters upload their web site files to the Internet. There is a range of FTP programs on the market, which are both free or cost a small amount. Below, you will find a list of a selection of these freely available ftp programs.

FTP Programs

• WS_FTP - WS_FTP Pro is one of the market leaders in Windows-based file transfer client software.
• CuteFTP - A stand-alone FTP client with many options and features. CuteFTP is available for Windows.
• LeapFTP - LeapFTP is the award-winning shareware FTP client that combines an intuitive interface with one of the most powerful client bases around.
  

FAQ

• ASCII Transfer Mode
  • This is one of the transfer modes offered by most ftp programs such as WS_FTP. ASCII transfer mode treats a file as text, and should be used for all ASCII (text) files. ASCII transfer mode translates the end-of-line characters during transfer so that the file can be read on the destination system. ASCII transfer mode differs from the binary transfer mode because characters are not translated, but are transferred as exact duplicates of the original. A typical text file that needs transferring as ASCII is a cgi script.
• Binary Transfer Mode
  • Transfers a file as an exact copy of the original and should be used to transfer all binary files. A typical file you would transfer as binary is a jpeg image file for a web site page. Binary transfer mode differs from the ASCII mode because it doesn't treat all transfers as text files like ASCII, and translates end of line characters during transfer.
• Network Timeout
  • This refers to the amount of seconds an ftp client program such as WS_FTP will wait for the FTP site to respond to a command. If the ftp site doesnt respond in a set amount of seconds, then the ftp client program will timeout.The timeout is determined by your Winsock DLL. Setting this value higher does not have any effect on the initial connection to the FTP site, but setting to less than the amount of time that your Winsock DLL uses causes the connection to fail in that number of seconds.
• Passive FTP Transfers
  • A passive ftp transfer alters from a normal transfer because if a server / site allows passive transfers, you can have your PC establish the data connection. This differs from a normal transfer because normally when you connect to an FTP site, the site establishes the data connection to your PC (client program such as WS_FTP).