1-11 FTP and SFTP ConfigurationWhen configuring FTP and SFTP, go to these sections for information you are interested in:z Introduction to FTP and SFTPz FTP Configurationz SFTP ConfigurationIntroduction to FTP and SFTPIntroduction to FTPFile Transfer Protocol (FTP) is commonly used in IP-based networks to transmit files. Before WorldWide Web comes into being, files are transferred through command lines, and the most popularapplication 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 FTPoperations are described in RFC 959.FTP-based file transmission is performed in the following two modes:z Binary mode for program file transferz ASCII mode for text file transferA 3com switch 4200G can act as an FTP client or the FTP server in FTP-employed data transmission:Table 1-1 Roles that a 3com switch 4200G acts as in FTPItem Description RemarksFTP serverAn Ethernet switch can operate as an FTP server toprovide file transmission services for FTP clients. Youcan log in to a switch operating as an FTP server byrunning an FTP client program on your PC to accessfiles on the FTP server.FTP clientIn this case, you need to establish a connectionbetween your PC and the switch through a terminalemulation program or Telnet, execute the ftp X.X.X.Xcommand on your PC. (X.X.X.X is the IP address of anFTP server or a host name), and enter your user nameand password in turn. A switch can operate as an FTPclient, through which you can access files on the FTPserver.The prerequisite isthat a route existsbetween the switchand the PC.Introduction to SFTPSecure FTP (SFTP) is established based on an SSH2 connection. It allows a remote user to log in to aswitch to manage and transmit files, providing a securer guarantee for data transmission. In addition,since the switch can be used as a client, you can log in to remote devices to transfer files securely.
