Do I Get FTP Access in Web Hosting?

You'll need FTP (File Transfer Protocol) access. This allows you to transfer files to and from your Web site, so virtually all web hosting companies provide this service. Some may provide a different way to transfer files, such as using FrontPage. But even if you use FrontPage, it's nice to have FTP access too.

What is FTP ?
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a fast, convenient and secure way to transfer files over the Internet. That is why many webmasters use FTP for uploading their websites on their hosting account and to add files and pictures to their web pages.The Internet protocol defining how to download and upload files between a client and an FTP server.  Popular client FTP programs are CuteFTP and WS_FTP.  Major browser also have FTP capability.

FTP sites are typically used for uploading and downloading files to a central server computer, for the sake of file distribution.

In order to download and upload files to an FTP site, you need to connect using special FTP software. There are both commercial and free FTP software programs, and some browser-based free FTP programs as well.

The typical information needed to connect to an FTP site is:

• The "server address" or "hostname". This is the network address of the computer you wish to connect to, such as ftp.microsoft.com.
• The username and password. These are the credentials you use to access the specific files on the computer you wish to connect to.

FTP Hosting offers a full range of FTP services. FTP hosting is designed for graphic design firms, web developers, or any business that requires moving large files on a regular basis.

Most recent web browsers and file managers can connect to FTP servers, although they may lack the support for protocol extensions such as FTPS. This allows manipulation of remote files over FTP through an interface similar to that used for local files. This is done via an FTP URL.

To make an FTP connection you can use a standard Web browser* (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, etc.) or a dedicated FTP software program, referred to as an 'FTP Client'. To use an FTP client you need to have an FTP account to the web account where you plan to upload your files. In case this is your hosting account, the main account for using FTP is your control panel account. You can also create additional FTP accounts for other users.

When connecting with an FTP Client (such as FileZilla or CuteFTP), uploads and downloads couldn't be easier, and you have added security and additional features. For example, you're able to resume a download that did not finish successfully, and continue with it later on. This is a very nice feature for people using dial-up connections which frequently breaks down.

FTP Accounts
To use an FTP client you need to have an FTP account to the web server where you plan to upload your files. In case this is your hosting account, the main account for using FTP is your control panel username and password. You can also create additional FTP accounts for other users. cPanel provides an option to manage multiple FTP accounts for one site.

• ABOR - Abort an active file transfer.
• ACCT - Account information.
• ADAT - Authentication/Security Data
• ALLO - Allocate sufficient disk space to receive a file.
• APPE - Append.
• AUTH - Authentication/Security Mechanism
• CCC - Clear Command Channel 
• CDUP - Change to Parent Directory.
• CONF - Confidentiality Protection Command 
• CWD - Change working directory.
• DELE - Delete file.
• ENC - Privacy Protected Channel 
• EPRT - Specifies an extended address and port to which the server should connect. 
• EPSV - Enter extended passive mode.
  
• FEAT - Get the feature list implemented by the server. 
• HELP - Returns usage documentation on a command if specified, else a general help document is returned.
• LAND - Language Negotiation 
• LIST - Returns information of a file or directory if specified, else information of the current working directory is returned.
• LPRT - Specifies a long address and port to which the server should connect.
  
• LPSV - Enter long passive mode.
  
• MDTM - Return the last-modified time of a specified file.
  
• MIC - Integrity Protected Command
  
• MKD - Make directory.
• MLSD - Provides data about exactly the object named on its command line, and no others.
  
• MLST - Lists the contents of a directory if a directory is named.
  
• MODE - Sets the transfer mode (Stream, Block, or Compressed).
• NLST - Returns a list of file names in a specified directory.
• NOOP - No operation (dummy packet; used mostly on keepalives).
• OPTS - Select options for a feature.
  
• PASS - Authentication password.
• PASV - Enter passive mode.
• PBSZ - Protection Buffer Size
  
• PORT - Specifies an address and port to which the server should connect.
• PWD - Print working directory. Returns the current directory of the host.
• QUIT - Disconnect.
• REIN - Re initializes the connection.
• REST - Restart transfer from the specified point.
• RETR - Retrieve (download) a remote file.
• RMD - Remove a directory.
• RNFR - Rename from.
• RNTO - Rename to.
• SITE - Sends site specific commands to remote server.
• SIZE - Return the size of a file.
  
• SMNT - Mount file structure.
• STAT - Returns the current status.
• STOR - Store (upload) a file.
• STOU - Store file uniquely.
• STRU - Set file transfer structure.
• SYST - Return system type.
• TYPE - Sets the transfer mode.
• USER - Authentication username.

Access FTP for Windows
Access FTP is an application with a simple user interface design, making it easy to transfer files using FTP. Use Access FTP for file transfers and managing web sites/FTP space. The simple user interface provides a Local panel on the left for navigating to files and folders on the local machine and a Remote Site panel on the right for navigating to files and folders on the remote site.

FTP Features

• Uploading and Downloading files.
• Navigate easily to files and folders on both the local PC and the remote FTP site.
• Transfer multiple files at once.
• Status bar shown during the file transfer process.
• Drag and drop files for quick uploading and downloading.
• Manage files and folders on both the local PC and the remote FTP site; create folders, rename and delete files or folders.
• Sort listing of Remote Site files by name, date or size.
• Select ASCII or binary file transfer or use the Auto mode to automatically determine the appropriate transfer type.
• Quickly open downloaded files using your PC's application associated to the file's extension.
• Activity log to review events during the current FTP session.