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FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol: a network protocol that moves files between hosts. It is a protocol—not a file format or a specific app. In classic FTP, commands and replies travel over one connection, while file data travels over a separate connection.
What is FTP used for?
FTP was designed to let networked computers share files and to make remote storage usable across systems with different file-storage conventions. It can be used directly by a person or indirectly through a program; the protocol itself defines how the client and server communicate, rather than prescribing a particular FTP application.
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Its original design goals included reliable, efficient data transfer and supporting program-mediated access to remote computers. These are the aims set out in the foundational specification, not a guarantee about the performance or security of every modern FTP service. RFC 959
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FTP separates the conversation that coordinates a transfer from the connection that carries the file data. The client and server use protocol interpreters to exchange commands and replies, while data-transfer processes establish and manage the data connection. The control connection remains open during a transfer.
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- Control connection: carries commands and server replies.
- Data connection: carries the file contents or other transferred data.
FTP supports active and passive data-transfer roles, as well as different transfer types and modes. The exact sequence and connection behavior depend on the selected mode and implementation; FTP is therefore more than a single “copy file” command. RFC 959 specifies the original model and remains a foundation, while later RFCs extend or update aspects of the protocol.
Is FTP the same as FTPS or SFTP?
No. These names refer to different protocol arrangements, and “secure file transfer” is not a synonym for FTP.
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| Name | What it refers to | Security distinction established by the cited standards |
|---|---|---|
| FTP | File Transfer Protocol, defined in RFC 959. | The classic protocol definition; the cited definition alone does not establish current security recommendations. |
| FTPS | FTP combined with TLS and FTP security extensions, described in RFC 4217. | Uses TLS to secure FTP. RFC 4217 |
| SSH-based file transfer | File transfer using mechanisms based on SSH, a separate protocol for secure network services. | SSH’s transport layer provides encryption, server authentication, and integrity protection. RFC 4253 is an SSH transport specification, not an FTP specification. RFC 4253 |
The term SFTP is commonly used for SSH-based file transfer, but the cited SSH transport standard does not define an SFTP file-transfer protocol. Do not treat SFTP as simply FTP with TLS: FTPS secures FTP with TLS, whereas SSH is a separate protocol family. The standards cited here do not provide enough detail for a configuration or deployment comparison.
When was FTP created?
RFC 959 traces file-transfer proposals to 1971 and was published in October 1985. Jon Postel and Joyce Reynolds authored it. It is identified as an Internet Standard and is the foundational reference for the classic FTP model—not the only relevant document for every extension in use.
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Subsequent standards address particular additions or changes, including security extensions, internationalization, extensions, command and extension registration, and a HOST command for virtual hosts. RFC 959’s page lists updates including RFC 2228, RFC 2640, RFC 3659, RFC 5797, and RFC 7151. For the behavior of a specific extension, consult its relevant RFC rather than assuming the 1985 document covers it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the definition mean FTP is secure today?
No security verdict follows from the definition alone. RFC 959 describes FTP’s protocol model; RFC 4217 describes securing FTP with TLS, and RFC 4253 describes security properties of SSH transport. Those standards clarify the terminology, but they do not establish what is safe for every server, client, configuration, or deployment today. Choosing a protocol requires current implementation and security guidance beyond a basic definition.
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