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FTP: File Transfer Protocol

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) enables file sharing between hosts. FTP uses TCP to create a virtual connection for control information and then creates a separate TCP connection for data transfers. The control connection uses an image of the TELNET protocol to exchange commands and messages between hosts.

The key functions of FTP are:

  1. to promote sharing of files (computer programs and/or data),
     
  2. to encourage indirect or implicit (via programs) use of remote computers,
     
  3. to shield a user from variations in file storage systems among hosts, and
     
  4. to transfer data reliably and efficiently. FTP, though usable directly by a user at a terminal, is designed mainly for use by programs.

FTP control frames are TELNET exchanges and can contain TELNET commands and option negotiation. However, most FTP control frames are simple ASCII text and can be classified as FTP commands or FTP messages. FTP messages are responses to FTP commands and consist of a response code followed by explanatory text.


 

Protocol Structure - FTP (File Transfer Protocol)



 

Command Description
ABOR Abort data connection process.
ACCT <account> Account for system privileges.
ALLO <bytes> Allocate bytes for file storage on server.
APPE <filename> Append file to file of same name on server.
CDUP <dir path> Change to parent directory on server.
CWD <dir path> Change working directory on server.
DELE <filename> Delete specified file on server.
HELP <command> Return information on specified command.
LIST <name> List information if name is a file or list files if name is a directory.
MODE <mode> Transfer mode (S=stream, B=block, C=compressed).
MKD <directory> Create specified directory on server.
NLST <directory> List contents of specified directory.
NOOP Cause no action other than acknowledgement from server.
PASS <password> Password for system log-in.
PASV Request server wait for data connection.
PORT <address> IP address and two-byte system port ID.
PWD Display current working directory.
QUIT Log off from the FTP server.
REIN Reinitialize connection to log-in status
REST <offset> Restart file transfer from given offset.
RETR <filename> Retrieve (copy) file from server.
RMD <directory> Remove specified directory on server.
RNFR <old path> Rename from old path.
RNTO <new path> Rename to new path.
SITE <params> Site specific parameters provided by server.
SMNT <pathname> Mount the specified file structure.
STAT <directory> Return information on current process or directory.
STOR <filename> Store (copy) file to server.
STOU <filename> Store file to server name.
STRU <type> Data structure (F=file, R=record, P=page).
SYST Return operating system used by server
TYPE <data type> Data type (A=ASCII, E=EBCDIC, I=binary).
USER <data type> User name for system log-in.


 

Standard FTP messages are as follows:
Response Code Explanatory Text
110 Restart marker at MARK yyyy=mmmm (new file pointers).
120 Service ready in nnn minutes.
125 Data connection open, transfer starting.
150 Open connection.
200 OK.
202 Command not implemented.
211 (System status reply).
212 (Directory status reply).
213 (File status reply).
214 (Help message reply).
215 (System type reply).
220 Service ready.
221 Log off network.
225 Data connection open.
226 Close data connection.
227 Enter passive mode (IP address, port ID).
230 Log on network.
250 File action completed.
257 Path name created.
331 Password required.
332 Account name required.
350 File action pending.
421 Service shutting down.
425 Cannot open data connection.
426 Connection closed.
450 File unavailable.
451 Local error encountered.
452 Insufficient disk space.
500 Invalid command.
501 Bad parameter.
502 Command not implemented.
503 Bad command sequence.
504 Parameter invalid for command.
530 Not logged onto network.
532 Need account for storing files.
550 File unavailable.
551 Page type unknown.
552 Storage allocation exceeded.
553 File name not allowed

                                                                                                        

 

  OSI Model || TCP || UDP || RARP || IP || TELNET ||SNMP || SMTP || FTP || ICMP || IGMP || ARP

 

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