FTP is used to upload or download files from servers. The basic command line ftp is a Unix command that also has been copied into Windows.

Unix, Linux or Mac OSX users can open a Unix window and use FTP. Windows users can bring up a DOS window by selecting run on the start menu. In the dialog box, type command and then click OK.

Starting FTP

Type:

 ftp server-name  

Where server-name is the name of the server you want to connect to, for example:

 ftp members.brandx.net

Next you will be prompted for your username and password. (this would come first when accessing FTP through a Unix window)

Here is a list of the commands you will routinely use in the FTP program:

put filename – Upload a file to the server

get filename – Download a file from the server

mput filename – Put multiple files on the server

mget filename – Get multiple files on the server

ls – Get a list of files in the current directory

cd – Change directory

quit – Ends your ftp session