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This document
is a quick reference on how to use FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to transfer
files between 2 computers. Although there are numerous Windows based
FTP programs,
there are times when using the command line is more efficient.
For
Windows operating systems
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FTP is a TCP/IP program used to transfer
files between 2 computers.
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FTP requires your PC to be running the
TCP/IP protocol.
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The computer you want to interact with
must be running the FTP Server Service
(or FTP daemon in Unix terms)
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<enter> in this document means press
the enter key |
1. Start the ftp service by opening a DOS window
or command prompt, and typing:
ftp <enter>.
ftp> this is the prompt you will see to let you know you started the
ftp program.
For a list of ftp commands, at the ftp prompt, type help.
ftp>help <enter>
For help with individual commands, type help command (where command is
the actual command)
ftp>help mput <enter>
2. Type status <enter> to see what options
are set for this ftp session.
3. To open an FTP session with a computer running
the FTP server service, use
the open command.
open ftp.server_name <enter>
ftp>open ftp.microsoft.com <enter>
4. You will be prompted for a user name, then
a password:
Public ftp servers allow anonymous logins.
For these servers, the default user name is
anonymous, and the default password is your email address.
user:anonymous (use this name if the ftp server allows anonymous logins...
most do.)
password:anything@anything.net (this is a formality, you can put any email
name you want.
Some ftp servers will also let you just press the <enter> key for
the password.)
*** If you have an account set up on the server, then use the user
name and
password assigned to you.
5. Use the dir command to list the directories
on the FTP server:
ftp>dir <enter>
You can also use the ls command:
ftp>ls <enter>
6. Use the cd command to change directories
(works the same as it does in DOS):
ftp>cd products<enter> - changes to the
products subdirectory
You can use cd. , cd.. and so on to move back, but use cd/ (forward slash)
to go to the root.
Also, when using the cd command, put a space after cd, then .. or . or
/
7. To download a file from a ftp server:
a. change to the
directory on your PC where you want the file to go by using the
lcd command (local change directory).
b. change to the
directory on the ftp server where the file you want to download is located.
c. then use the
get or recv command (they both do the same thing).
***for multiple files use the mget
command.
a. ftp>lcd
c:\mydir <enter>
b. ftp>cd myftpdir
<enter>
c. ftp>get
dirmap.htm <enter>
ftp>recv dirmap.txt <enter>
* Note:
There are two file transfer types with FTP.
The default file transfer type is ASCII.
In ASCII mode (text mode), data is transferred in such a way as
to make it understandable on the
destination machine. ASCII mode "translates" the information
so that the meaning of the data is
preserved. For example, if a file is transferred from a Macintosh to an
IBM PC in ASCII mode,
the bit-sequence of the copy would not be identical to the original,
as is the case with binary.
However, the data would be decipherable by the destination machine.
ASCII is used for .txt, .htm, .html files and email messages.
In Binary mode, data is transferred so that the original and the
copy are bit-by-bit identical,
regardless of the compatibility of the two machines engaged in the ftp
connection. If a file is
transferred from a Macintosh to an IBM PC in Binary, the file on
the IBM will be identical to the
file on the Mac, regardless of whether or not the IBM PC is able to decipher
it.
Binary file transfer is used for .exe, .com, .zip, .tar, .gif, .jpg,
.doc, .xls files
If you are downloading a Binary file, type binary at the ftp>
prompt first
to change the file transfer type to Binary:
ftp>binary <enter>
ftp>get chat.exe
ftp>get yn.com
To see what type of file transfer type you are using type, type <enter>
ftp>type <enter>
You can also use this command to change the file transfer type.
ftp>type binary <enter>
ftp>type ascii <enter>
To download multiple files use the mget command
ftp>mget *.txt <enter> - This will download all the .txt files
in the current directory.
You will be prompted for each file before it is downloaded.
Type y <enter> for yes, or n <enter> for no, or just press
<enter> for yes.
To disable prompting for multiple file puts or gets, type prompt at the
ftp> prompt
before downloading the files.
The prompt command toggles prompting on and off.
ftp>prompt <enter>
ftp>mget *.txt <enter>
ftp>mget file1.txt, file2.txt, file3.txt (you can enter multiple
file names)
ftp>mget *.* <enter>
To abort a download or upload press <ctrl><break>
8. To copy a file to the ftp server:
a. change to the directory on your PC where the file is by using
the
lcd command (local change directory).
b. change to the directory where you want the file to go on the
ftp server.
c. then use the send or put command (they both do the same thing).
***for multiple files use the mput command.
a. ftp>lcd c:\mydir <enter>
b. ftp>cd myftpdir <enter>
c. ftp>send myfile.txt <enter>
ftp>type binary <enter>
ftp>put myfile.exe<enter>
ftp>mput *.* <enter> - sends all the files
in the current directory to the ftp server
ftp>mput file1.txt, file2.txt, file3.txt (you
can enter multiple file names)
9. To disconnect from the ftp server:
ftp>disconnect <enter>
This will leave ftp running, but disconnect you from the server.
You can also use:
ftp> close <enter> to disconnect.
To end an ftp session, type quit or bye. This will disconnect
you from the server, and
end the ftp session.
ftp>bye <enter>
MISC
The following commands are of interest:
ABOR |
abort a file transfer |
BELL |
toggles a bell to ring after each
file transfer is completed |
CWD |
change working directory |
DELE |
delete a remote file |
LIST |
list remote files |
MDTM |
return the modification time of a file |
MKD |
make a remote directory |
MKDIR |
makes a remote directory |
NLST |
name list of remote directory |
PASS |
send password |
PASV |
enter passive mode |
PORT |
open a data port |
PWD |
print working directory |
QUIT |
terminate the connection |
RETR |
retrieve a remote file |
RENAME |
renames a remote file |
RMD |
remove a remote directory |
RMDIR |
remove a remote directory |
RNFR |
rename from |
RNTO |
rename to |
SITE |
site-specific commands |
SIZE |
return the size of a file |
STATUS |
typing this displays the options
you have set for your session |
STOR |
store a file on the remote host |
TRACE |
off by default - displays the route
of each packet |
TYPE |
set transfer type |
VERBOSE |
on by default - displays ftp response
messages on your screen |
USER |
send username |
FTP codes and actions
The series code (the number) at the beginning of some lines of the FTP log
describes the action
that took place between your computer and the server in the FTP process.
The table below
describes these FTP codes and actions. Note: not all FTP servers
will use the same codes.
Code |
Description |
100 Series Codes |
The requested action is being
initiated, expect another reply before proceeding with a new command. |
110 |
Restart marker reply. |
120 |
Service ready in nnn minutes. |
125 |
Data connection already open, transfer starting.
|
150 |
File status okay, about to open data connection. |
200 Series
Codes |
The requested action has been
successfully completed. |
200 |
Command okay. |
202 |
Command not implemented, superfluous at this site. |
211 |
System status, or system help reply. |
212 |
Directory status. |
213 |
File status. |
214 |
Help message. |
215 |
NAME system type. (Where NAME is an official system name
from the list in the Assigned Numbers document.) |
220 |
Service ready for new user. |
221 |
Service closing control connection. Logged out if appropriate. |
225 |
Data connection open; no transfer in progress. |
226 |
Closing data connection. Requested file action successful
(for example, file transfer or file abort). |
227 |
Entering Passive Mode |
230 |
User logged in, proceed. |
250 |
Requested file action okay, completed. |
257 |
"PATHNAME" created. |
300 Series Codes |
The command has been accepted,
but the requested action is being held in abeyance, pending receipt
of further information. |
331 |
User name okay, need password. |
332 |
Need account for login. |
350 |
Requested file action pending further information. |
400 Series Codes |
The command was not accepted
and the requested action did not take place, but the error condition
is temporary and the action may be requested again. |
401 |
This service is not accepting users now. User quota filled.
Try again later. |
421 |
Service not available, closing control connection. This
may be a reply to any command if the service knows it must shut down. |
425 |
Can't open data connection. |
426 |
Connection closed; transfer aborted. |
431 |
Log-in unsuccessful. User name and/or password invalid. |
450 |
Requested file action not taken. File unavailable (e.g.,
file busy). |
451 |
Requested action aborted: local error in processing. |
452 |
Requested action not taken. Insufficient storage space
in system. |
453 |
File transfer incomplete. Insufficient storage space. |
500 Series Codes |
The command was not accepted
and the requested action did not take place. |
500 |
Syntax error, command unrecognized. This may include
errors such as command line too long. |
501 |
Syntax error in parameters or arguments. |
502 |
Command not implemented. |
503 |
Bad sequence of commands. |
504 |
Command not implemented for that parameter. |
530 |
Not logged in. |
532 |
Need account for storing files. |
550 |
Requested action not taken. File unavailable (e.g., file
not found, no access). |
552 |
Requested file action aborted. Exceeded storage allocation
(for current directory or dataset). |
553 |
Requested action not taken. File name not allowed. |
For more FTP info and commands see the Windows
Resource Kit books.
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