Download 3Com Switch 4210 Configuration Guide

38
FTP AND SFTP CONFIGURATION
Introduction to FTP
and SFTP
Introduction to FTP
FTP (file transfer protocol) is commonly used in IP-based networks to transmit files.
Before World Wide Web comes into being, files are transferred through command
lines, and the most popular application is FTP. At present, although E-mail and
Web are the usual methods for file transmission, FTP still has its strongholds.
As an application layer protocol, FTP is used for file transfer between remote server
and local client. FTP uses TCP ports 20 and 21 for data transfer and control
command transfer respectively. Basic FTP operations are described in RFC 959.
FTP-based file transmission is performed in the following two modes:
■
Binary mode for program file transfer
■
ASCII mode for text file transfer
A 3Com Switch 4210 can operate as an FTP client or the FTP server in
FTP-employed data transmission:
Table 325 The Switch 4210 FTP Roles
Item
Description
Remarks
FTP server
An Ethernet switch can
The prerequisite is that a
operate as an FTP server to
route exists between the
provide file transmission
switch and the PC.
services for FTP clients. You
can log in to a switch
operating as an FTP server by
running an FTP client program
on your PC to access files on
the FTP server.
FTP client
In this case, you need to
establish a connection
between your PC and the
switch through a terminal
emulation program or Telnet,
execute the ftp X.X.X.X
command on your PC.
(X.X.X.X is the IP address of
an FTP server or a host name),
and enter your user name and
password in turn. A switch
can operate as an FTP client,
through which you can access
files on the FTP server.