One of the first things that the creators of the internet needed was a way to transfer files from one computer to another. The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) was created in the early 1970's to fulfill this purpose.

For a complete history and lots of geeky details about FTP, visit the WikiPedia FTP page.

As you may know, FTP transmits data unencrypted, which means a third party with the right know-how and equipment could read your data as you transmit it. Therefore, ExaVault recommends that you use Secure FTP (SFTP) rather than standard FTP if possible.

Using FTP to connect to your ExaVault FTP account is a snap. Here's what you'll need:

• Your FTP server name: (e.g.: bobsmith.exavault.com)
• Your username: (e.g.: bobsmith)
• Your password
• An FTP client, such as one of those recommended below.

Desktop FTP clients are programs that you download and run from your computer. Think of them like a web browser for FTP sites.

You should know that ExaVault will support any desktop FTP client. In fact, we've put together some quick guided tutorials for some of the more popular FTP clients:

✪ Recommended by ExaVault

You can also use a command line FTP client to connect to your server.

After signing up for an FTP account, many people have questions about their service. He are some answers to some of the more commonly asked questions about FTP. If you have more general questions about file transfers, then you might want to visit our FAQ pages.

The short answer: Faster than most other transfer protocols. However, your speed may vary. A number of things will influence how fast you can upload or download files with FTP:

FileZilla's wiki has the best explanation of how routers and firewalls can wreak havoc with FTP sessions.

Anti-virus software will often interfere with FTP downloads. Here are a few of the more common symptoms of anti-virus software interference.:

• Vista files disappear (MS Social Answers)
• FireFox downloads disappear in Vista

Overseas carrier lines will often be a bottleneck and cause slow upload and download speeds. Visual Traceroute Shows how your data is bouncing around the Internet before it gets to ExaVault.

Cable modems and DSL lines sold for residential use will offer speeds up to a maximum – but those speeds are not guaranteed. For example:

• DSL upload speeds are typically capped at 25-30% of download speeds.
• Cable modems almost always have their upload speeds capped at 5-10% of download speeds.
• Cable modems utilize shared bandwidth. You and all of your neighbors collectively have a large amount of bandwidth available. But when you all get on together, the bandwidth starts shrinking.

In the US and Canada, ExaVault users can expect to see download speeds in excess of 200Kb/second. For more information, visit our FTP account overview page.

None whatsoever. That is what Secure FTP (SFTP) and FTP over SSL (FTP-SSL) are for.

If you would like to transfer files over a secure connection, use our Secure FTP Web Client: https://files.exavault.com/

FTP works very much like browsing the internet. When you browse the internet, you commonly use hypertext transfer protocol (known as http) look at web pages. HTTP will transfer web pages and pictures to your computer in what is called a session.

• You initiate a session by browsing to a web site. Web sites are commonly known by their addresses (“URL” in industry jargon) and look something like www.exavault.com.
• Your browser will ask the web sever at the site for a page.
  • Some web sites (like www.exavault.com) will show you their pages without asking you to log in.
  • Other web sites (like your bank) will ask you to log in with a username and password.

FTP works in a very similar way:

• When you browse to an FTP server, you will ask the FTP server to see its files.
• Most FTP servers (including ExaVault) will require you to log in with a username and password before you can see the files.
• Once you are logged in, you can select files to download or you can upload files to the server.

You can also use a command line FTP client to connect to your ExaVault FTP and Open Remote Backup account. Command line clients are most often used for FTP scripts. All major operating systems come with a command line FTP client. However, if you would like an alternative to the standard command line client, check out:

• ncFTP: http://www.ncftp.com/ncftp/
• cURL (Windows, Mac, *nix): http://curl.haxx.se/

1. Start menu > Run
   (if the Run option is not available: WinKey + R)
2. Enter cmd into the Run box and click the OK button.
   You should now see a command prompt
3. Enter ftp and your ExaVault server name at the prompt.
   Example: ftp windows-guy.exavault.com
4. When prompted, enter your FTP username and FTP password.
5. If you have successfully logged in, enter dir to see a listing of files.
6. To disconnect and end the FTP session, enter bye.

1. In finder: Applications > Terminal
2. Enter ftp and your server name at the prompt.
   Example: ftp get-a-mac.exavault.com
3. When prompted, enter your FTP username and FTP password.
4. If you have successfully logged in, enter ls -l OT see a listing of files.
5. To disconnect and end the FTP session, enter bye.

1. Open a terminal (Gnome Terminal, Kterm, Xterm, etc.)
2. Enter ftp and your server name at the prompt.
   Example: ftp vi-rules-emacs-drools.exavault.com
3. When prompted, enter your FTP username and FTP password.
4. If you have successfully logged in, enter ls -l OT see a listing of files.
5. To disconnect and end the FTP session, enter bye.