Each computer on the Internet has a unique name and number, with the
name being the familiar one used for much of mail. If you know
that name or number, you may well be able to transfer files to or from
- or even login to-that computer in a far away place. In
fact, many Unix systems have a user account known as guest
or anonymous which, while having limited file access, also has
no password. If that far-away computer has programs or data
which it is willing to share with others, then others can anonymously ftp in and copy them. In § 3.4 we give some
transcripts of ftp sessions which extract files from
supercomputer center libraries. Here's a typical session for a Unix
user:
% ftp physics.orst.edu File transfer to computer on Internet. welcome to ... Foreign computer responds.
% ftp 128.193.96.10 Using machine's IP address. welcome to ... Foreign computer responds.