Starting FTP and Logging In to an FTP Server

Starting FTP and Logging In to an FTP Server
Of the two FTP file operations (download and upload), the ability to download files is the more important skill for a network technician or administrator to master because network and client
operating system drivers and patches are located on FTP servers throughout the Internet. The first steps in starting an FTP download session are to determine the address of the FTP site and start the ftp utility. The FTP site typically has the same name as the website except that the first three characters are ftp instead of www. For example, Microsoft’s website is www.microsoft.com. Its FTP site, on the other hand, is ftp.microsoft.com. We’ll use this FTP site as an example for the rest of this section.
First, start the ftp utility as discussed earlier, and then follow these steps:
1- At the ftp command prompt, type open, a space, and the name of the FTP server as in the following example:

ftp>open ftp.microsoft.com

If the FTP server is available and running, you will receive a response welcoming you to the server and asking you for a username:

ftp>open ftp.microsoft.com
Connected to ftp.microsoft.com.
220 Microsoft FTP Service

User (ftp.microsoft.com:(none)):

TIP:

You can also start an FTP session by typing ftp, a space, and the address of the FTP server (for example, ftp ftp.microsoft.com). This allows you to start the ftp utility and open a connection in one step.

2. Enter a valid username and press Enter.
3. Enter your password and press Enter. 

NOTE:

Most Internet web servers that allow just about anyone to download files also allow the username anonymous. Remember to type the username exactly and to double-check as you enter it because usernames are case sensitive. In addition to anonymous, you can use the username ftp to gain access to a public FTP server. They are both anonymous usernames. Remember that FTP (and UNIX)usernames are case sensitive.

If you are accessing a private FTP server, you should use the username and password given to you by the administrator. If you are accessing a public FTP server with a username such as

anonymous, you can use your e-mail address as the password.

TIP:

You don’t have to enter your entire e-mail address to log in with the anonymous username. Most FTP server software doesn’t verify the actual e-mail address, just that it is, in fact, an e-mail address. To do this, it checks for an @ sign and two words separated by a period. You just need to enter a very short e-mail address to bypass the password (like u@me.com). This is especially helpful if you have a long e-mail address. It’s also more secure if you don’t want lotsof junk e-mail.

If you enter the wrong username and/or password, the server will tell you so by displaying the following and leaving you at the ftp command prompt:

530 Login Incorrect

Login failed.

You must now start over with the login process. If you are successful, the FTP server will welcome you and drop you back at the ftp command prompt. You’re now ready to start uploading

or downloading files.