OSU Computational Physics - Unix: The File Transfer Protocol ftp

11.C.1: Help and Navigation 11: Multiple Machines 11.B: The rlogin and rloginX Commands Contents

§ 11.C: The File Transfer Protocol ftp

One of the most popular ways to transfer files from one computer to another is with the file transfer protocol ftp. The computer you connect to is "remote", the computer you connect from is "local". Go ahead, ftp to ucs now:

> ftp ucs.orst.edu

You should get a response like:


Connected to ucs.orst.edu.

220 ucs.orst.edu FTP server (Digital UNIX)

Name (ucs.orst.edu:yourusername):

Go ahead and login by typing your username in the "Name" field (if your username is the same on both machines, you can just enter [return]]. Enter your password as requested. Once logged in, the remote Unix responds and then ftp takes over (as indicted by the special prompt ftp>):


230 User johnsome logged in.

Remote system type is UNIX.

Using binary mode to transfer files.

ftp>

If you enter your password incorrectly, Unix will respond with:


530 Login incorrect.

Login failed.

Remote system type is UNIX.

Using binary mode to transfer files.

ftp>

While this may look like you are logged in and ready to go, ftp will not let you do a thing until you get your account in order. Your choice is either to "quit" (or bye):

ftp> bye

ftp> quit

or you can enter the user subcommand to re-enter your username:

ftp> user