FTP requires you to "log in" with a user id and password before you can retreive any files. This poses a problem, if you want to obtain a file from another computer where you do not have a computer account. To overcome this limitation, many computer administrators provide a fictitious user called anonymous with a password of your e-mail address. This technique is known as Anonymous FTP, and provides access to the files by anyone with the ability to use FTP.

Although it is possible transfer many different types of files inside of e-mail messages, FTP is still preferable in the following circumstances:

• you want to make files available for individuals to download when you don't know who those individuals are.
• you want to exchange a file when you, or the person you want to send it to, does not have access to Email.
• the files you want to retrieve are very large (larger than 2MB) and cannot be fit inside a single mail message.

FTP Server.

An FTP server is a program that merely responds to requests from the client program to either store a file, or retreive a file. Administrators for most large computers operate an FTP server for you.

FTP Client.

An FTP client is a program that you run on your computer, or on your computer account that controls the transfer of the files. With an FTP client you can send a file to a server for storage, or retreive a copy of a file from storage.

Internet Connectivity.

Both the server and the client computers must be connected to the Internet for this procedure to function. .

• transfer files from your computer to another computer, provided you have connection privilages by the FTP server.
• transfer files from another computer to your computer, provided you have connection privilages by the FTP server.
• Provide files for others to copy from you, provided you are running an FTP server.