Confrontarsi per la prima volta con un hosting web scatena una domanda standard: cos’è un FTP?. Si tratta di un acronimo per File Transfer Protocol. Indica di fatto il protocollo che viene sfruttato per il trasferimento dei file, attraverso un sistema di tipo client-server. Ecco cos’è possibile fare:
- effettuare un upload di file in un server remoto;
- effettuare un download di file da un server remoto;
- spostare, rinominare e cancellare un file da un server remoto;
- creare, spostare, rinominare e cancellare cartelle su un server remoto.
Operazioni che, per essere effettuate, richiedono un TCP, acronimo per Transmission Control Protocol, ovvero un protocollo per il trasferimento dei dati. To access an FTP, however, you need a client that generally requires a username and password.
Why use FTP?
To perform operations within a remote server, working on a given file, you need an FTP. Let’s take an example. If a webmaster needs to work on a website, he will need to connect to his hosting, or remote web space, using an FTP client, a software that requires specific access credentials. These are issued by the hosting provider, once you have purchased a service.
Once you have access to the FTP client, you will be able to upload the files that make up the website or, at the same time, make changes. An FTP is also necessary to put a site online, developed locally, allowing you to upload files from your terminal to the remote server.
You can only get around the use of an FTP if you work with CMSs, such as WordPress. The site could be controlled, edited and managed through the CMS daashboard. You don’t need an FTP, just a hosting with WordPress (or others) preinstalled.
What are FTP clients
When we talk about an FTP client we refer to a program. Its task is to establish a connection with a remote server. In this way, the user is able to access files and folders uploaded by performing different actions. These are carried out in a very simple way, accessing the remote server from anywhere, with the necessary credentials. Graphically, everything is displayed as a set of files and folders that are part of a partition of your hard disk.
Configuring an FTP client
Configuring an FTP connection requires different steps depending on the client you choose. Alcuni di questi sono però identici in tutti i casi, a prescindere dal software. La prima cosa da fare è ovviamente aprire il programma in questione, cliccando in seguito sul tasto relativo alla creazione di una nuova connessione. Ci si ritrova dunque dinanzi una schermata che richiede l’inserimento di svariate informazioni.
- Host: necessario inserire l’indirizzo FTP, che viene inizialmente comunicato dal provider scelto.
- Porta: a meno di casi particolari, si lascerà la porta impostata di default, che dovrebbe essere solitamente la numero 21
- Username: nome utente comunicato dal provider scelto, nel corso della fase d’attivazione
- Password: codice comunicato dal provider scelto, nel corso della fase d’attivazione
Nella maggior parte dei casi è possibile in seguito salvare i propri dati d’accesso. In questo modo non si dovrà ripetere il processo d’accesso, ricordando la password di volta in volta. Usually the credentials, always provided by the provider, are sent by e-mail, after purchasing the service and subsequent activation. You can also generate your own credentials, using the customer panel that the hosting provider provides.
Many providers activate filters that limit FTP access, in order to avoid unauthorized access. If this is the case, before creating a new connection you should make sure that your IP is authorized to access via FTP. If this is not the case, the connection will be automatically refused, even if you have the right access credentials.
How to use an FTP client
Using an FTP client is extremely simple. Regardless of the provider you choose, the functioning and operations remain the same. After establishing a remote connection, you’ll see a window open, divided into two sections. On the right side there are the files and folders of the remote server. On the left side is a representation of your computer’s hard drive.
All you need to do is select the files you are interested in locally and drag and drop them into the window that contains the remote files and folders. Just release it to start the upload process. The reverse operation will start the download process from the server to the PC.
You can also operate on remote files and folders. To do this, just select the file or folder you are interested in. To delete everything, just right-click and select the relevant item. The same goes for the possibility of renaming. If you want to change the permissions of a file or a folder, you’ll have to select “Permissions” or, depending on the provider, “CHMOD” or “File Info”, after pressing the right mouse button.
The security of an FTP client
An FTP protocol does not provide any encryption. A very important element to clarify, considering how this indicates that data sent via FTP are actually potentially intercepted by other malicious users. In fact, they are transmitted “in the clear”, so to speak. In order to overcome this problem, the FTPS protocol has been introduced. As with HTTPS, this protocol encrypts data in transit.
Almost all providers available today support FTPS. At the same time, almost all FTP clients support secure connections. However, these are things to be verified in the world of subscription. It is recommended that you only use services that provide these security requirements so that you can avoid problems in the future by protecting your files remotely.
Best FTP
There are many different types of FTP. Some are subscription based. Others are free. Here are the top 5 to choose from, depending on your needs.
Filezilla
FileZilla: is without a doubt one of the most widely used FTP applications. Its open source software is totally free. It is also compatible with Windows, Linux and macOS. It is easy to exchange files via drag and drop. Transferring rather large files up to a maximum of about 4GB is also supported.
Users can also resume previously interrupted data transfer. You can also set the upload and download speed yourself. Finally, the protocol is encrypted via SSL/TLS or SSH, with a “keepalive” function to maintain the connection. Login data is unfortunately saved in plain text.
WISE-FTP
WISE-FTP is a paid program for Windows. You can do a free 30-day trial so you can check its capabilities. It supports any common protocol such as FTP, SFTP, FTPS or FTPES, thus establishing a connection to any FTP server. You can automate both uploads and downloads thanks to the task planner. Maximum security is guaranteed, from authentication to transfer. You can also encrypt your files with your choice of Rijndael, BlowFish or TripleDES.
Transmit
Transmit is a paid client. A great choice for macOS systems. Data transfer, both upload and download, is very fast. You also have the possibility to set a limit for the bandwidth. Clear and functional interface. Entire directories can be synchronized, which leads to a rapid update between server and client. It also supports encrypted transmission via SSL/TSL and SSH.
Fresh FTP
Fresh FTP is a free program for Windows that is very easy to use. You can transfer multiple files at the same time thanks to the multithreaded support. You can also set a specific time to schedule such a function. The user also has the ability to set custom limits for both upload and download transfer speeds. You can also resume previously interrupted transfer processes. In order to prevent external access, a password can be set and required when the program starts.
Cyberduck
Cyberduck is a totally free FTP program. Among its advantages is the fact that it is compatible with all Windows operating systems, starting with Windows 7. At the same time it is compatible with macOS products, starting with version 10.07. The connection to any server is guaranteed, with great speed, from FTP to SFTP or even WebDAV. The same goes for cloud services such as Azure, Amazon S3 or OpenStack.
The interface is quite intuitive and easy to use. The number of simultaneous data transfers can be limited. The user can also resume a previously interrupted transfer. There is also a very good organization of bookmarks.
They can also be imported from other programs. Large files can be transferred, up to a maximum of 5GB and encryption via Cryptomator client is supported. The only limitation is some possible connection interruptions. A blemish within an excellent framework, free of charge.