FTP

A FTP command-line utility program is usually a clinet file transfer protocol (FTP) application used for transferring files to and from other computers on a computer network.

FTP on WinXP

The FTP command-line utility program on WinXP is used to transfer file to and from a computer running an FTP server service. The FTP can be used interactively through the FTP terminal.

Getting Started

The FTP program can be started from a DOS prompt by typing the "ftp" command directly. The possible command line options of the WinXP FTP when starting the FTP program are:

FTP [-v] [-d] [-i] [-n] [-g] [-s:filename] [-a] [-w:windowsize] [-A] [host]

• -v: Suppresses verbose display of remote server responses.
• -n: Suppresses auto-login upon initial connection.
• -i: Turns off interactive prompting during multiple file transfers.
• -d: Enables debugging, displaying all ftp commands passed between the client and server.
• -g: Disables filename globbing, which permits the use of wildcard chracters in local file and path names.
• -s:filename: Specifies a text file containing ftp commands; the commands will automatically run after ftp starts. No spaces are allowed in this parameter. Use this switch instead of redirection (>).
• -a: Use any local interface when binding data connection.
• -A: login as anonymous.
• -w: windowsize - Overrides the default transfer buffer size of 4096.
• host: Specifies the computer name or IP address of the remote computer to connect to. The computer, if specified, must be the last parameter on the line.

Notes:

• - mget and mput commands take y/n/q for yes/no/quit.
• - Use Control-C to abort commands.

FTP client commands on WinXP

The FTP client commands available on WinXP FTP terminal are

• ! - Runs the specified command on the local computer
• ? - Displays descriptions for ftp commands
• append - Appends a local file to a file on the remote computer
• ascii - Sets the file transfer type to ASCII, the default
• bell - Toggles a bell to ring after each file transfer command is completed (default = OFF)
• binary - Sets the file transfer type to binary
• bye - Ends the FTP session and exits ftp
• cd - Changes the working directory on the remote computer
• close - Ends the FTP session and returns to the command interpreter
• debug - Toggles debugging (default = OFF)
• delete - Deletes a single file on a remote computer
• dir - Displays a list of a remote directory's files and subdirectories
• disconnect - Disconnects from the remote computer, retaining the ftp prompt
• get - Copies a single remote file to the local computer
• glob - Toggles filename globbing (wildcard characters) (default = ON)
• hash - Toggles hash-sign (#) printing for each data block transferred (default = OFF)
• help - Displays descriptions for ftp commands
• lcd - Changes the working directory on the local computer
• literal - Sends arguments, verbatim, to the remote FTP server
• ls - Displays an abbreviated list of a remote directory's files and subdirectories
• mdelete - Deletes one or more files on a remote computer
• mdir - Displays a list of a remote directory's files and subdirectories
• mget - Copies one or more remote files to the local computer
• mkdir - Creates a remote directory
• mls - Displays an abbreviated list of a remote directory's files and subdirectories
• mput - Copies one or more local files to the remote computer
• open - Connects to the specified FTP server
• prompt - Toggles prompting (default = ON)
• put - Copies a single local file to the remote computer
• pwd - Displays the current directory on the remote computer (literally, "print working directory")
• quit - Ends the FTP session with the remote computer and exits ftp (same as "bye")
• quote - Sends arguments, verbatim, to the remote FTP server (same as "literal")
• recv - Copies a remote file to the local computer
• remotehelp - Displays help for remote commands
• rename - Renames remote files
• rmdir - Deletes a remote directory
• send - Copies a local file to the remote computer (same as "put")
• status - Displays the current status of FTP connections
• trace - Toggles packet tracing (default = OFF)
• type - Sets or displays the file transfer type (default = ASCII)
• user - Specifes a user to the remote computer
• verbose - Toggles verbose mode (default = ON)