File Transfer Protocol
RFC 354
Document | Type |
RFC - Unknown
(July 1972; No errata)
Obsoleted by RFC 542
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Authors | |||
Last updated | 2013-03-02 | ||
Stream | Legacy | ||
Formats | plain text html pdf htmlized bibtex | ||
Stream | Legacy state | (None) | |
Consensus Boilerplate | Unknown | ||
RFC Editor Note | (None) | ||
IESG | IESG state | RFC 354 (Unknown) | |
Telechat date | |||
Responsible AD | (None) | ||
Send notices to | (None) |
Network Working Group Abhay Bhushan Request for Comments: 354 MIT-MAC NIC: 10596 July 8, 1972 Categories D.4, D.5, D.7 Obsoletes: RFC 264 and 265 THE FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL I. INTRODUCTION The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a protocol for file transfer betweet HOSTs (including terminal IMPs), on the ARPA Computer Network (ARPANET). The primary function of FTP is to transfer files efficiently and reliably among HOSTs and to allow the convenient use of remote file storage capabilities. The objectives of FTP are 1) to promote sharing of files (computer programs and/or data), 2) fo encourage indirect or implicit (via programs) use of remote computers, 3) to shield a user from variations in file storage systems among HOSTs, and 4) to transfer data reliably and efficiently. FTP, though usable directly by user at a terminal, is designed mainly for use by programs. The attempt in this specification is to satisfy the diverse needs of users of maxi-HOSTs, mini-HOSTs, TIPs, and the Datacomputer, with a simple, elegant, and easily implemented protocol design. This paper assumes knowledge of the following protocols: 1) The HOST-HOST Protocol (NIC #8246) 2) The initial Connection Protocol (NIC #7101) 3) The TELNET Protocol (NWG/RFC #318, NIC #9348) II. DISCUSSION In this section, the terminology and the FTP model are discussed. The terms defined in this section are only those that have special significance in FTP. [Page 1] The File Transfer Protocol July 8, 1972 11.A. Terminology ASCII The USASCII character set as defined in NIC #7104. In FTP, ASCII characters are defined to be the lower half of an eight bit code set (i.e., the most significant bit es zero). access controls Access controls define users' access privileges to the use of a system, and to the files in that system. Access controls are necessary to prevent unauthorized or accidental use of files. It is the prerogative of a user-FTP process to provide access controls. byte size The byte size specified for the transfer of data. The data connection is opened with this byte size. Data connection byte size is not necessarily the byte size in which data is to be stored in a system, and may not be related to the structure of data. data connection A simplex connection over which data is transferred, in a specified byte size, mode and type. The data transferred may be a part of a file, an entire file or a number of files. The data connection may be in either direction (server-to-user or user-to server). data socket The socket on which a User-FTP process "listens" for a data connection. EOF The end-of-file conidition that defines the end of a file being transferred. EOR The end-of-record condition that defines the end of a record being transferred. error recovery A procedure that allows a user to recover form certain errors such as failure of either Host system or transfer process In FTP, error recovery may involve restarting a file transfer at a given checkpoint FTP commands A set of commands that comprise the control information flowing from the user-FTP to the server-FTP process. [Page 2] The File Transfer Protocol July 8, 1972 file An ordered set of computer data (including programs) of arbitrary length uniquely identified by a pathname. mode The mode in which data is to be transferred via the data connection. The mode defines the data format including EOR and EOF. The transfer modes defined in FTP are described in Section III.A. NVT The Network Virtual Terminal as defined in the ARPANET TELNET Protocol. NVFS The Network Virtual File System. A concept which defines a standard network file system with standard commands and pathname conventions. FTP only partially embraces theShow full document text