File Transfer Protocol - FTP

A Brief Introduction

FTP

The procedure of connecting to a remote computer, as an anonymous or guest user, in order to transfer files back to your computer. Basically, you type "ftp" at your system prompt then login on the remote system, then ask for the file you want to receive. It transfers to your local host machine.

FTP commands
FTP how-to-guide
FTP sites (selected destinations)
Downloading Files from Your VAX account to PC or Mac

FTP commands

FTP Command Table
abort Terminate current operation
ascii Set file transfer mode to ascii
bget Retrieve a file in binary mode
bput Send a file in binary mode
bell Ring bell when file transfer completes
binary Set file transfer mode to binary
bye Close the connection and exit
case Toggle mapping of local filenames to lower case
cd Change current working directory on remote host
chdirup Change to parent of working directory on remote
commandfile Execute ftp commands from local file
delete Delete a file on remote host
directory Display contents of a directory in long form
disconnect Close the connection
file Set file transfer structure to FILE
get Retrieve a file from remote host
hash Print # for each packet sent or received
help Display help messages for all ftp commands
ignore_icc Ignore implied carriage control for binary transfers
interactive Prompt with each filename for mget, mput & mdelete
lcd Change current working directory on local host
login Log into the remote system
ls Display contents of a directory in short form
mdelete Delete a group of files from remote host
mget Retrieve a group of files from remote host
mkdir Make a directory on remote host
mput Transfer a group of local files to remote host
nobell Don't ring bell when file transfer completes
nohash Don't print # for each packet sent or received
noignore_icc Don't ignore implied carriage control for binary transfers
nointeractive Turn prompting off for mget, mput and mdelete
open Open a connection to a remote host
put Transfer a file from local host to remote host
pwd Print remote host's current working directory
quiet Do not display transfer statistics
quote Send the specified string to the remote ftp server
record Set file transfer structure to RECORD
remotehelp Display FTP commands implemented by server
rename Rename a file on remote host
rget Retrieve a file with record structure from remote host
rput Transfer a file with record structure to remote host
site Send site parameter
socket_size Set data socket receive buffer size
stat Display contents of a directory in short form
show Show current status
structure Set file transfer structure
tenex Set file transfer mode to tenex
unix Set system type to UNIX
verbose Display server replies and transfer statistics
vget Retrieve a file with RMS structure from remote host
vmode Set file transfer structure to RMS type file
vms Set system type to VMS
vput Transfer a file with RMS record structure to remote host

Here's a sample script for 'ftp-ing' the Internet List done by Art St. George and on Larsen:

If you're on a VAX, at the $ prompt, begin:

$ ftp ariel.unm.edu
login: anonymous <- this makes you a 'guest'
cd library <- file's in the 'library' directory
get internet.library

The file will (after a short delay) come to your local system where you can view it, print it , depending on your local configuration, download it to your PC.

How to FTP

ftp (File Transfer Protocol) allows you to copy files from a remote host to your computer. Many hosts on the Internet freely allow access to some of the documents stored on their computers. This service is generally referred to as anonymous ftp.

Anonymous ftp is very simple. Once logged in, you only have six commands available. These are:

  • cd - change directory
  • ls - display contents of a directory
  • get - transfer a file from the remote host
  • mget - multiple file transfers
  • bi - set binary file transfer
  • ascii - set ascii file transfter

    • Logging on to a Remote host:

    At the system prompt, type <host address> example: ftp nic.ddn.mil <enter> will connect with the Department of Defense Network Information Center.

    Hosts will require you to log in, i.e., give a user ID and password.

    Username: anonymous <enter>
    Password: type <your e-mail address><enter>

    Changing Directories on a Remote Host:

    Once you are logged on you may have to change directories on the host computer to access the file(s) you are interested in. To change directories type:

    ftp> cd <directory name> <enter>

    example: ftp> cd rfc <enter>

    The ftp> prompt in front of the examples is not to be typed by the user.
    The ftp> prompt represents the Unix prompt at most ftp sites.

    To transfer a file from a host to your own computer type:

    ftp> get <filename> <enter>
    example: ftp> get RFC-INDEX.TXT.1211 <ENTER>

    To transfer multiple files from a host to your own computer

    the command is mget. ftp> mget <filename1> <filename2> <filename3> <ENTER>

    > mget <filename1>? yes <ENTER>
    > mget <filename2>? yes <ENTER>
    > mget <filename3>? yes <ENTER>

    The host site will ask you if you would like to transfer the file before the file is actually sent. Reply with a yes or no at the prompt as in the example shown.

    Check Directory

    command for this is ls or dir.

    example: ftp> dir RFC* <ENTER>

    It is also possible to view a document without having to transfer it back to your own system. The, get filename |less, command will allow the user to view the document while still connected to the ftp host. However, not all ftp sites are compatible with this command.

    Leaving a host

    When you have finished transferring files from a remote host using ftp, exit from the host by typing quit.

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