What Is FTP Server?

• FTP Server Definition

  FTP Server Definition

  File transfer protocol server (commonly known as FTP Server) is computer software that facilitates the secure exchange of files over a TCP/IP network. It runs the file transfer protocol (FTP), a standard communication protocol that operates at the network level, to establish a secure connection between the devices in a client-server architecture and efficiently transmit data over the internet.
• What is an FTP server used for?

  What is an FTP server used for?

  FTP servers are the software solutions used for transferring files across the internet. They are primarily used for two essential functions, “Put” and “Get.” It allows uploading (Put) files to the server from the client device and downloading (Get) files from the server on the client device. FTP server helps to accommodate the following functions.

  • Exchange Large Size Files: Organizations usually struggle to share large files over email. Businesses dealing with vast amounts of data often face interruptions during their file sharing process due to large files. The FTP server allows organizations to share large files without hassles.
  • Enhance Security: The most significant purpose of employing FTP servers is to ensure a high level of security while sending sensitive data across the network. FTP servers also support other types of secure file transfer protocols such as SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) and FTP Secure (FTPS) to add another layer of security. These protocols ensure effective end-to-end encryption to secure files while in transit.
  • Optimize Workflows: FTP servers help enterprises streamline the file sharing process to overcome productivity challenges. With the right software application in place, users can share large volumes of data instead of sharing a single file at a time. Centrally storing files minimizes the time required to locate a file, and scheduled transfers help avoid any delays or interruptions across workflows.
  • Improve Control: FTP servers empower businesses to exercise greater control over their data by providing smart access controls. Since every user requires different permissions to access various files, administrators can easily determine who can edit, upload, download, or share files based on permissions.
  • Reliable Disaster Recovery: An effective FTP server ensures organizational data and files aren’t compromised or lost in the wake of a disaster. Continuous and automatic backup helps in proactively storing data at other locations for easy restoration when needed.
• What are the types of FTP?

  What are the types of FTP?

  The following are common types of FTP:

  • FTP Secure (FTPS): Taking security one notch up from traditional FTP, FTP Secure (FTPS) ensures a secure file transfer. It provides an additional encryption layer using either Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols during data transmission across the network.
  • SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP): This is a secure file transfer subsystem for the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol. SFTP is a widely used method for securely transferring files over remote systems. In SFTP, both data and commands are encrypted and transmitted in specifically formatted binary packets through a single, secured connection using SSH.
• FTP active vs. passive

  FTP active vs. passive

  FTP sessions generally have two channels, a command (control) channel and a data channel. While the command channel is used to transmit commands, the data channel is used to transfer data. An administrator can place an FTP server in two modes, active mode and passive mode.
  

  • Active Mode: This was the default mode for FTP initially, and various servers still support it. In this mode, the FTP client makes a control connection; however, all data connections are initiated from the server to the FTP client. Active mode operates in the absence of firewalls or requires firewalls that understand the FTP protocol to open ports between clients and servers automatically. It’s known as active mode because the client dynamically opens a port and listens while the server actively connects to it. It’s recommended only when a legacy deployment requires it.
  • Passive Mode: Both data and control connections are initiated from the FTP client to the FTP server in this mode. It’s also known as "firewall-friendly" mode as it operates in an environment with necessary firewalls in place. It’s known as a passive mode because the server opens a port and listens passively, allowing clients to connect to it. Passive mode is recommended for transferring files as connections in this mode are more secure and reliable, since data connections trigger from the FTP client to the FTP server. Secondly, no inbound connections initiating from the internet back into individual clients are allowed. Unlike active mode, which requires configuring multiple firewalls, passive mode requires only configuring the server firewall.
• FTP vs. cloud storage

  FTP vs. cloud storage

  FTP and cloud are both ways of sharing files and data and account for their fair share of similarities and differences. While FTP allows transferring files between devices across a network, the cloud facilitates accessing stored data and an array of services, including compute, networking, and more hosted on the internet via a web browser or a desktop client. Some of the key differences between FTP and cloud storage include:

  • Accessibility: Accessing files and folders in an FTP setup requires employing an FTP client and setting necessary permissions to access the server. Accessing data stored on a cloud often just requires a web browser or an application without any need for a username and password. However, while not a requirement, you can still store data in the cloud behind password protection.
  • Security: Security is a concern for organizations using FTP. There are instances of firewall vulnerabilities since an FTP connection requires opening additional ports for adequate accessibility. Organizations wanting to share files with others might have to extend access to their infrastructure, increasing the security risk to the physical server. Further, lack of traceability creates more loopholes, as there’s no means to check who accessed what information. Lastly, organizations may need an IT specialist to periodically back up server snapshots to another place. Alternatively, cloud services have moved way ahead with dynamic security controls to minimize cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities.