by: Mitchell Medford

FTP is a protocol that your computer uses to communicate to other computers on the network, including the Internet. FTP allows you to login into a server and upload or download files. The most common use of FTP for web hosting, is to update your web site, by uploading files to the server.

Here are some terms for your reference:

Uploading: Transferring files from your computer to the server.

Downloading: Transferring files from the server to your computer.

Anonymous Server: Allows any user to login without a specific login and password.

FTP servers can be anonymous or non-anonymous. Your FTP server for web hosting accounts, are non-anonymous. This allows you to login with a username and password, and access your files. It also prevents any user on the Internet from updating your web site!! Your provider will give you some FTP information to use the server, including: FTP host or IP, FTP Login, and a FTP password. The correct IP, login and password will give you access to your account, allowing you to update your web pages.

FTP can be used through a command line (like DOS), or through a graphic programs; the latter is more popular these days. Some popular FTP clients are SmartFTP and CuteFTP.

More details about FTP later!