Does XP include an FTP client.?

[Brian B.]

I know (a little) how to use IE to access an FTP site.

Does WinXP (or Office 2003) include some kind of specific
FTP client software (something like WS_FTP)?


I guess a related question is: What is the advantage of
having a FTP client software vs. just using IE for this?
Is it speed, security, ???

I will purchase a FTP client if needed but I hate to buy
it if its already built in and I just don't know about it.

Thanks for your help

 

[Jim]

You can also type FTP on the command line (Start->Run, then type "cmd" (no
quotes)). You can then issue the entire FTP command set (cd, bin, get,
etc.). You can also create FTP scripts and run them in batch, something not
available w/ IE. And yes, you can purchase FTP clients w/ graphical
interface, and all the conveniences that implies.

For simple file retrieval, IE FTP support is generally sufficient. Use the
command line version if you need to do some automation. Purchase an FTP
specific client is you use FTP often and want more flexibility, such as the
ability to store connection details, switch to Passive mode to circumvent
firewall restrictions (not sure IE can handle this), etc.

But in general, IE support for FTP isn't all that much different
(functionally, security, or speed-wise) than any other clients. They ALL
implement the same FTP command set! For most people w/ only occasional FTP
requirements, it's probably sufficient. Btw, I recall WS_FTP having a free
version that's more than adequate for most people (
http://www.ipswitch.com/Products/WS_FTP/go-with-the-pro.html ). Hard to
imagine this wouldn't suffice.

HTH

Jim

 

[Marc Reynolds [MSFT]]

Besides using IE, XP includes a command line ftp client. Open a command
window and type "ftp"



--

Thanks,
Marc Reynolds
Microsoft Technical Support

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Guest]

Thanks all, this is addressed my question very well.

 

[E McCann]

Useful commands:
open (site) - connects to the FTP site
bin - switch to binary mode (for file downloads, anything non-pure-text
get - download a specific file
ls - list files (similar to dir)
lcd - local change directory - change directory on your machine

Pretty sure more is in the help listing.

 

[Bruce Phillips]

Marc,

Would you know why, when asked for a password at the prompt, it won't accept
any input (i.e. the flashing cursor remains fixed)?

Bruce

 

[Bruce Phillips]

Never mind, Marc. After experimenting, I realize that it does accept the
input without indicating such.

B.