What is an FTP site?

An FTP site is a server that enables you to upload and dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785099″>File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Many people use FTP sites to move dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785150″>web pages and associated files from a local computer to a

How does dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785141″>FTP work?

The dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785101″>FTP client initiates a connection with an dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785100″>FTP servers typically listen on port 21. So, when an dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785123″>port number.

Every dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785151″>command channel and a dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785138″>data channel is where the actual files go.

When we say that an dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785100″>FTP server, this takes place over the dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785151″>command channel connection has to be established.

dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785139″>active mode or dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785139″>active mode, the dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785138″>data channel connection to the dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785134″>passive mode, the client initiates the differences between active and passive FTP because you need to consider these when configuring your dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785135″>FTP protocol runs on the Internet/dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785115″>TCP/IP). dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785115″>TCP/IP helps ensure that FTP carries out file transfers with minimal risk of data loss or corruption.

Every FTP file transfer involves two endpoints: an dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785100″>FTP server. Let’s discuss these two endpoints next.

How dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785100″>FTP server or FTP site provides file transfer services to dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785100″>FTP server, also called an dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785144″>transfer of files for multiple dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785107″>share files with other users. The server can accept file transfer uploads from clients, store the dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785100″>FTP servers usually listen for dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785123″>port numbers. For instance, some admins configure their server to listen on port 990, 2121 or 2120. While using non-standard FTP ports is acceptable, ensure all your users are aware of the dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785100″>FTP servers in the market. Some are proprietary, while others are open source. Some dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785100″>FTP server upon installation. dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785106″>Windows Server, for instance, have an dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785100″>FTP servers, though. Rather, they’re multi-protocol managed file transfer (MFT) servers that support FTP and several other JSCAPE MFT Server by Redwood come with many security features that enable you to protect your FTP file transfers. They also have automation features that make implementing site-to-site Request a product demo to see our secure automation features at work.

How to use an dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785101″>FTP client is a software application that users use to initiate a connection with an dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785110″>download files with that server. A user would typically enter the site’s dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785123″>port number to connect to an FTP site using an dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785142″>anonymous FTP, the user would also have to enter its user account dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785116″>permissions by the

Most dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785102″>FileZilla and Cerberus web client by Redwood, run on dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785130″>operating system is best suited for an FTP site?

The ideal server dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785124″>Linux and dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785100″>FTP servers. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of using these dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785152″>Microsoft dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785106″>Windows Server for an FTP site is the dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785106″>Windows is so common, you can easily find people who can deploy, manage and maintain your FTP site. If you only need an dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785106″>Windows Server Internet Information Services (IIS) built-in dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785106″>Windows also means your dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785106″>Windows-based systems in your IT infrastructure. For instance, you can easily integrate it with Active dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785118″>authentication.

On the flip side, since dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785106″>Windows systems than other dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785106″>Windows Server is proprietary, you’ll have to spend more on licensing costs than on, say, a free dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785124″>Linux for your FTP site

Many dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785100″>FTP servers with them offer free licensing. So, if you have IT staff skilled in dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785124″>Linux distributions are open source. This gives you greater flexibility and control should you wish to customize your FTP infrastructure.

While popular dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785100″>FTP server or want to equip it with security functions, you’ll struggle to find help.

Advantages of using a platform-independent dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785106″>Windows and dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785130″>operating systems. For instance, many of our customers also use UNIX and some even use macOS. Unless your company is deeply entrenched in a particular OS ecosystem, choosing an FTP solution that can run on any JSCAPE MFT Server can seamlessly integrate with any OS. This flexibility lets you choose the best deployment for any specific use case. Not only that, if your deployment requirements change later on, you can easily migrate from one platform to another.
Sample use case: Leveraging a platform-independent file transfer solution for building out FTP sites
A global retailer in multiple countries and regions wanted to establish a company-wide infrastructure for facilitating FTP file exchanges between its headquarters and regional offices. These files included product catalogs, sales reports, marketing materials, inventory data, etc.
Incidentally, the retailer’s offices had their own OS preferences. This was due to regional preferences, legacy systems, local IT infrastructure and specific business requirements. Most of the company’s offices in Europe and Asia used UNIX and dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785106″>Windows.
By leveraging a platform-independent file transfer solution, the retailer was able to build out its network of FTP sites while allowing its regional offices to work with their preferred OS. Since the regional offices didn’t have to adopt an unfamiliar OS, the implementation process was quick, seamless and cost-effective.
Are FTP sites still suitable for business use?
FTP sites used to be one of the most—if not THE most—widely used solutions for dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785118″>authentication and other security functions needed to protect personal information and other dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785147″>workflows. These security functions aren’t just nice-to-haves. In many cases, they’re mandated by law or by regulatory bodies. In the US, for instance, FTP can’t meet the regulatory requirements of the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
To meet stringent regulatory requirements, businesses are shifting to file transfer sites running on more dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785099″>file transfer protocols, such as dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-menu-id-param=”menu_term_292785131″ data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785131″> dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785103″>SFTP) or FTP-over-dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785119″>TLS (FTPS). These dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785103″>SFTP, which derives its security features from the underlying dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785104″>SSH) protocol, also has strong dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785118″>authentication alongside public key dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785118″>authentication system. Two-factor dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785103″>SFTP’s key-based dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785118″>authentication method. This method uses X.509 digital certificates and is called client certificate dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785143″>Transport Layer Security (dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785119″>TLS) protocol.
If you’re wondering why dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785119″>TLS sounds familiar, it’s the same cryptographic protocol used to secure the dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785120″>SSL/dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785105″>web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari to connect with modern websites.
Sample use case: Leveraging a multi-protocol solution for building out a versatile file transfer infrastructure
The global retailer discussed earlier wanted to exchange files with suppliers and other trading partners. While a few of their trading partners also used FTP, the rest had already shifted to dropdown#toggle” data-dropdown-placement-param=”top” data-term-id=”292785099″>file transfer protocols like Applicability Statement 2 (AS2).
Fortunately, the platform-independent solution the retailer was already using also happened to support multiple Test drive JSCAPE with a free trial to see how our features work together to support your file transfer needs.