The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a network protocol used for the transfer of files between a client and server on a computer network.

FTP is built on a client-server model architecture using separate control and data connections between the client and the server. FTP authenticates with a clear-text sign-in protocol, normally in the form of a username and password, but can be configured to connect anonymously. For this reason FTP is NOT configured on any CS department servers!

For secure transmission that protects the username and password, and encrypts the content, FTP is often replaced with SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP).