Tackling File Transfer with Customers in 2022

Today, more companies are operating and working remotely than ever before. Potential customers can be anywhere around the world, accessing your website 24/7. And you need a way to send and receive business files in a secure and timely manner.

From online orders to client documents, proposals, submissions, and general file transfer with customers — these routine data transfers keep a business running.

Do you need to send files to customers? Receive files from clients? Have files available for clients to access as needed?

Sharing links that grant clients access to a specific file or folder is one option. Using a share link lets you set up any documents to be shared, allowing the customer access them when they have time.

Perhaps you want to create a user login for clients you work with regularly so they can access files you have stored, during their business hours. Business can continue across multiple time zones without having to coordinate meetings or be present for document handoffs.

Or, you may want to embed forms directly on your website to receive files from customers. Keep your business open and receive orders and other submissions from clients anytime.

You can execute all of these with the right file transfer service. Now, let’s look at how you can execute file transfer with customers using a service such as ExaVault.

Sending files to someone is a common type of file transfer between businesses and customers. Customers may need receipts for purchases, documents to sign, or reports to review and approve. File sharing lets you send relevant documents to clients no matter where they are, including halfway across the globe or three blocks away.

There are a variety of ways for a business to share files. With ExaVault, you can send files directly from the file manager. Choose the files you want to share, enter the recipient’s email address, and send.

Email is a great way to communicate with business associates. Plus it provides you with the client’s email address for future interactions. Quickly locate and select the file or files you want to send. Then have them sent to any recipient via email. The email includes a link that will allow your clients access and take them directly to the shared file or folder. You send the file when you have time, and the client can review the document at their leisure.

Another option is to get a unique share link for the file or folder you want to share. Then, simply copy and pass along the link. Send the link to your customers via chat, email, text, or however you communicate.

Additional options to customize how the file is shared are available.  Add a custom message to the email. Set access controls for your share links, like password protection, expiration or maximum uses.

Many businesses require the ability to receive files from customers, even when it is not during their business hours. Some enterprises operate 24/7 in various locations around the globe. The ability to receive files directly into your account makes this part of file transfer with customers so much easier. 

One way to receive files from customers is by setting up a receive folder in your ExaVault account. Find or create the folder you want to receive files into. This will bring up the menu to customize the receive folder. Once you have chosen the settings you want – from requiring a password  or registration to setting an expiration date if desired – you can invite others to upload files directly to your account. 

There are many types of files you may need to share with clients besides just a paid in full receipt.

Receive signed contracts or business agreements.

Receive images needed for putting together a quote for design work.

Send an invoice to customers so you get paid.

Send diagrams or other mockups for remodeling projects.

Receive submissions to a contest your company is sponsoring.

Send requests on company letterhead as documented proof.

Send terms and conditions for work to be done.

No matter what types of files you need to share, the right solution can provide options for file transfer with customers that fit your business needs and enhance workflows in both directions.

Get secure file transfer for your business!

Send and receive documents required to conduct your business. Find out how you can manage file transfer with customers to share the information you need.

Tackling File Transfer with Customers in 2022 | ExaVault Blog

Find out how you can manage file transfer with customers to share the information you need.

The Difference Between FTP, FTPS, and SFTP

Let’s start with a fun fact: FTP has been around for nearly 50 years – and because of that, there are lots of flavors and variations of the protocol. There’s plain old FTP – File Transfer Protocol – but there’s also FTPS, FTP-SSL, and SFTP. Many people ask: How do they differ?

At a basic level, FTP is a protocol that has one server and many clients that connect to the server in order to transfer files from one system to another. The client(s) then log into the server to execute commands. Commands allow you to move around the file tree, download files, upload files, move directories, delete, and much more. In the early days of the ARPAnet / Internet, this was revolutionary because you could take files and move them over great physical distances – even large files. FTP is not complicated, but it’s exceedingly powerful and has stood the test of time.

The first FTP client applications were command-line programs developed before computers had graphical user interfaces. Such applications are still shipped with Windows, Linux, and Unix-based operating systems today.

FTP helps send files by transmitting information quickly and reliably so you can transfer large files online. File transfer protocol is commonly used for transferring large files between a client and a server. You can use FTP to exchange files between computer accounts, transfer files between an account and a desktop computer or access files in online storage.

As great as FTP was at the time, it lacked security measures to encrypt usernames and passwords or other data going across the protocol. Thus FTPS and SFTP were made to build security measures directly into the protocol.

Decades later, we have services like Dropbox or Box that use their own protocols to move files around on the internet. You may ask yourself – why not just abandon FTP entirely and let companies use their own protocols? Here are a few reasons:

The backbone of the internet runs on standard protocols, like HTTP, FTP, DHCP, DNS, etc. Using a standard protocol is in line with the goals of a free and open internet.

It gives you flexibility in your toolset. Because of how long FTP has been around, there are tons of tools, scripts and daemons made that work with it.

Many devices already have FTP built into them, such as security cameras. Let’s say you develop a new security camera and want it to connect to a closed protocol, like Dropbox. With FTP, you can make the connection. With a closed protocol, however, you would have to contact Dropbox and pay licensing fees for using their protocol.

Every client machine already supports file transfer protocol! You don’t need to download a client to access FTP functions from the command line – you can even use whatever client you want to interface with FTP!

FTPS, also known as FTP-SSL, is a more secure form of FTP. FTPS is basic FTP with security added to commands and data transfer. Special security protocols TLS (Transport Layer Security) and SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) are cryptographic and provide encryption of data to protect your information as it moves from point A to point B, including username/password.

FTPS is to FTP much like HTTPS is to HTTP: an added layer of security while keeping the original protocol relatively unchanged.

SFTP, also known as SSH FTP, encrypts both commands and data while in transmission. This means all your data and credentials are encrypted as they pass through the internet. If you’ve ever used a Unix-based system, you’re likely familiar with SSH. It’s a protocol that allows you to remotely connect to other systems and execute commands from the command line. SSH is how most servers in the world are administered, so the protocol had to be very secure. SFTP was created as an extension of SSH to transfer files through the secure channel (SSH).

Unlike FTP and FTPS, SFTP protocol is packet-based as opposed to text-based. This makes file and data transfers using the SFTP faster than other secure FTP connections.

What are the differences between these protocols?

Learning about the different protocols might seem daunting. We’ve compiled a shortlist of the differences — advantages and disadvantages that can help clarify which protocol would be best for your use.

In our opinion, if you are able to use SFTP – use it. FTP is great for legacy devices that don’t support any sort of encryption, but if you have access to encryption, it’s better to use SFTP. You don’t want your files intercepted by a malicious hacker downstream of your machine if you can help it.

Both SFTP and FTPS provide a high level of protection. The biggest difference between these two protocols is how connections are authenticated and managed. 

SFTP connections can be authenticated using a user id and password to connect to the server. SSH keys can also be used to authenticate SFTP connections. You will need to generate an SSH private key and public key to connect with the SFTP server. 

With FTPS the usernames and passwords are also encrypted. To connect, your FTPS client will first check if the server’s certificate is trusted. The certificate is considered trusted if either the certificate was signed off by a known certificate authority (CA), like Verisign, or if the certificate was self-signed (by your partner) and you have a copy of their public certificate in your trusted key store.

Which File Transfer Protocol Should I Use?

When choosing an advanced file transfer protocol, the decision often depends on your needs:

FTP is ideal for legacy systems that lack encryption capabilities.

FTPS works well if your infrastructure supports SSL/TLS and you require robust encryption.

SFTP is the best choice for modern systems, offering secure, efficient, and feature-rich file transfers.

Advanced File Transfer in the Modern World

In today’s world of SaaS, cloud computing, and e-commerce, understanding secure file transfer options is crucial. While SFTP and FTPS excel in protecting sensitive data, FTP remains indispensable for its speed, simplicity, and compatibility with legacy systems. From small file transfers to mission-critical operations, advanced file transfer protocols continue to power the digital world.

Get the best of FTP and SFTP with modern features.

And for teams scaling workflows, compliance, or automation, Files.com offers an enterprise-grade platform that builds on FTP/SFTP with extended visibility, integrations, and security.

File Transfer Protocol has been around for a long time. But there's also FTPS, FTP-SSL, and SFTP. How do they differ and which one should you use?

The Difference Between FTP, FTPS, and SFTP | ExaVault Blog

File Transfer Protocol has been around for a long time. But there's also FTPS, FTP-SSL, and SFTP.

Better Automation for File Transfer with WinSCP

WinSCP is one of the most widely used Windows file transfer clients—thanks to its flexibility and powerful scripting features. When installed, it adds two key components to your system:

WinSCP.exe for the familiar graphical interface

If you're just getting started, WinSCP offers a great guide for scripting, including helpful examples. Rather than walking through step-by-step scripting examples, this article focuses on three key areas to keep in mind when building your own automation: logging, secure authentication, and planning for failure.

WinSCP.com can automatically generate log files—an invaluable resource when troubleshooting automation. Logs help you identify exactly which command failed and why. Knowing when and where the error occurred allows you to fix issues faster. You can customize log file names, formats, and enable log rotation by defining size limits and the number of backups. Full instructions are available in the WinSCP documentation.

For secure SFTP connections, SSH keys are preferable to plain-text passwords in scripts. With ExaVault, you can generate and assign SSH keys through the user interface, reducing risk and simplifying automation. Not only do SSH keys eliminate the need to store credentials in plain text, but they also add a layer of protection against unauthorized access.

Even the most well-written scripts will fail at some point. It’s critical to anticipate what could go wrong and how your automation will handle it.

Instead of assuming your script will always succeed, plan for detection and recovery:

Use notification emails to confirm success or flag issues.

Check exit codes using batch files that monitor %ERRORLEVEL%.

Review your logs regularly—they often show exactly where things went wrong.

Can your script be re-run manually if needed?

Will future runs resolve missed transfers?

Who needs to be notified if something fails?

WinSCP is a powerful tool for automating secure file transfers. When paired with smart logging, SSH keys, and recovery planning, your automation becomes more resilient and reliable.

ExaVault supports both SFTP and FTP workflows with built-in automation features and SSH key support—making it a strong fit for teams streamlining file operations.

For teams seeking greater scalability or visibility, Files.com offers extended capabilities such as centralized logging, alerts, and integrations, all while supporting familiar FTP/SFTP workflows.

Whether you're optimizing an existing script or building automation from scratch, WinSCP remains a reliable tool—and platforms like ExaVault and Files.com are here to help you scale with confidence.

Want to create your own automation scripts for file transfer? With a few tips, you can get better automatin with an FTP client like WinSCP.

Better Automation for File Transfer with WinSCP | ExaVault Blog

Want to create your own automation scripts for file transfer? With a few tips, you can get better automatin with an FTP client like WinSCP

SFTP vs. FTPS — these are two main secure ways to transfer files. All businesses opt to use SFTP or FTPS if they are concerned about data security. But what exactly are the differences, and why should you choose one protocol over the other?

Many businesses need to move large volumes of data regularly. To do this, most turn to one of two open, industry-standard protocols.

SFTP (Secure FTP or SSH file transfer protocol)

Both of these protocols have similar-sounding names. The placement of the S in each acronym has a lot to say about where the ‘secure’ part of the protocol comes from. You’re either starting with security as the base or adding it on at the end. 

They accomplish the same goal at the end of the day, which is securely transferring your data. However, they are very different under the hood.

What's the Difference? SFTP vs FTPS

FTPS is built as an extension to the standard FTP protocol, which has been around since the 1970s. FTP uses two connections to transfer files — a control connection and a data connection. 

Typically, a client would log in and use a series of commands, such as CD, GET, and PUT, to make the server do something. In this case, the commands tell the server to — change directory, get (download) a file, and put (upload) a file. These commands are sent via the control connection, but the actual files are sent via the data connection. 

For example, when I need to get a file, my FTP client would issue a command ‘GET file.txt’ on the control connection, then the FTP server would transfer that file to me on the data connection.

With standard FTP, all command and file information is sent in cleartext. FTPS or FTP-SSL simply adds a layer of encryption on top of both the control and data connections. When you first connect to an FTPS server, before sending your username and password, your FTP client will issue a plaintext STARTTLS or AUTH TLS command.

LibNcFTP 3.2.3 (July 23, 2009) compiled for UNIX
Remote server is running ProFTPD.
220: ProFTPD Server (EV) [67.208.93.232]
Connected to ftptest.exavault.com.
Cmd: AUTH TLS
234: AUTH TLS successful
Cmd: USER ftptest
331: Password required for ftptest
Cmd: PASS xxxxxxxxxxxx
230: User ftptest logged in
Cmd: TYPE A
200: Type set to A
Logged in to ftptest.exavault.com as ftptest.

This command then tells the FTPS server the connection should be encrypted. From then on, everything is the same — your FTP client still uses commands like CD, GET and PUT — but both the contents of those commands (the command channel) and the data transfer (the data channel) are encrypted.

SFTP, on the other hand, is built on top of the SSH protocol, which was designed from the beginning to be a secure way to establish a connection between two computers. 

When you connect with SFTP, your client initiates an SSH connection to the remote server, negotiates a series of secure handshakes, and then opens a secure tunnel to the remote server. SFTP uses that tunnel to communicate with the remote server. It tells the SFTP server to do things, such as upload or download a file. The data and commands are sent over the same secure channel. 

user@Atlantis ~ % sftp ftptest@ftptest.exavault.com
ftptest@ftptest.exavault.com's password: 
Connected to ftptest.exavault.com.
sftp>

First, the connection established with SFTP is built on a secure protocol from the beginning. Unlike FTPS, which connects via a plaintext connection then uses the STARTTLS command, SFTP operates over a secure channel from the very first part of the connection process. 

Second, being built on a secure protocol means that additional security features can be built-in. For example, SFTP supports key-based authentication. FTPS does not. While you can always use a username and password to connect to either protocol, SFTP allows you to use an SSH keypair. SSH keys are a way to securely authenticate without a password. Setting up SSH keys is particularly helpful if you need to do passwordless logins for automated processes.

Third, SFTP uses only one port. Port 22 is typically used for the entire connection. If you have outbound firewall ruses that prevent connections from being made with other servers, you only have to open port 22 for SFTP connections to work. 

With FTP or FTPS connections, you have to open both port 21(the control port) plus a range of high ports (with ExaVault, this is port 60000 to 65535) for the data channel. Doing this type of connection creates a greater open port footprint.

Why would I choose FTPS when SFTP is better?

Since FTPS is a secure protocol based on standard FTP, there are use cases where it would be an acceptable choice. Usually, this falls under the category of you have to use FTPS. 

For example, you will choose FTPS if you’re using software that doesn’t support SFTP. This is the case with many legacy packages, in which case, you’ll definitely want to use FTPS over plain old FTP. 

It is important to note that FTPS is no less secure than SFTP. You shouldn’t be concerned if somebody asks you to use it — it’s just that it has fewer capabilities than SFTP.

Both protocols are secure, but SFTP gives you more flexibility.

SFTP is built on top of a natively secure protocol

SFTP allows for passwordless authentication

While we recommend SFTP for most use cases, FTPS remains a reliable and secure option—especially when working with legacy systems or software that specifically requires it.

If you're looking for a simple, secure hosted file transfer solution, ExaVault makes it easy to get started with SFTP or FTPS, offering modern tools and compatibility across your workflows.
And if your organization needs deeper automation, audit visibility, or enterprise-grade control, Files.com offers a natural path forward—building on the same protocols with enhanced scale and flexibility.

Are you looking for a secure FTP service that supports SFTP & FTPS?

Try ExaVault Today!

SFTP vs. FTPS can be a common question. But, what exactly are the differences, and why should you choose one protocol over the other?

SFTP vs. FTPS Protocol Comparison | ExaVault Blog

But, what exactly are the differences, and why should you choose one protocol over the other?

Receive Secure Files as Your Business Grows

Working with colleagues, clients, or strangers is an integral part of doing business. You probably need to send and receive secure files daily. More and more work happens remotely, so the tried-and-true method of a company-wide network of shared folders no longer works well.

It’s challenging to collaborate when large files are involved. Your clients can’t email large files, nor should they want to send files through an unsecured system like email. Not to mention email threads getting out of order, cluttered with numerous replies, or losing an attachment along the way.

One excellent solution is receive folders from ExaVault. Our receive folders do just what the name implies — they are a folder or folders in your ExaVault account designed to receive secure files uploaded from clients and coworkers.

Locate a folder in the file manager. Go to the dropdown menu on the right. Select ‘Receive..’ from the menu. 

Once created, you can edit the settings of the receive folder to suit your exact needs, such as requiring an email address and/or password to access the receive folder. Or, get a link that you can send to others. Perhaps you could benefit from setting up delivery receipts so you or whoever you want receives an alert when there is activity in this receive folder. A final setting is deciding if/when the receive folder should expire and no longer be accessible.

Not only does utilizing receive folders allow you and your business to receive secure files, but it also gives you a multitude of options on how clients can send you files. One option is customizing the form the user fills out when sending you files. Then, you always get the information your business needs associated with the files that are uploaded.

You’ve successfully set up the desired receive folder. Now, you’re ready to customize your receive form. 

Under settings, choose ‘Customize Receive Form.’

Next, you’ll see the default form fields and layout. Simply drag and drop additional input fields where you want them in the form. Edit the field label, add a description for what you want in the field, change the field’s width, and even mark fields as required. 

When done editing, click the preview link to view the form.

Let’s look at a scenario of how one company uses receive folders as their business grows.

James runs a printing company named “10 PRINT ‘Shop'”. He doesn’t have basic file transfer needs; he requires some specific information along with the files that are coming into his ExaVault account. Having the necessary information allows the printing company to fulfill orders efficiently.

James has a receive folder in ExaVault and used the form builder to tailor what information he requires with each order submission. He also allows the customer to include any special requests with their order.

Fast forward a year, and James’ printing business has exploded. He has three times the amount of orders than he had the previous year. Now, he’s hired a software development house to build a new ordering system that leverages the business’s new infrastructure. He provides fulfillment from multiple locations and hired more staff to accommodate the growth.

James can still use ExaVault’s receive folders to store large print orders. Once processed and edited, the orders get sent along to the printers. Instead of using just an ExaVault upload form to receive order information, James’ developers have integrated the ExaVault receive form into their web application.

Customers do not need to leave the 10 Print “Shop” site or open another window to upload their files and order information. James can receive secure files directly from the form embedded on his website. Our embeddable receive forms provide a clean look and ease of use that allows customers to feel confident placing their orders with the print shop.

As James’ business continues to grow, ExaVault cloud storage service continues to support his needs. ExaVault even has an API where his web applications could directly upload files stored and collected on his company’s servers. 

Receive folders are more than just a place clients can upload secure files. They are an integral part of the file transfer process for many of our clients. Configure ExaVault receive folders to send automatic notifications when files are uploaded, along with other feature options that provide an additional layer of security.

If you’re ready to give receive folders a try, head here and sign up today!

A benefit for you and your clients. Set up receive folders, customize upload forms, and integrate into your website to receive secure files anytime.

Receive Secure Files as Your Business Grows | ExaVault Blog

Set up receive folders, customize upload forms, and integrate into your website.

Active vs. Passive Modes for FTP Connections

In the world of FTP and SFTP, there are a lot of idiosyncrasies that can be confusing to even the most seasoned user. We’ve talked many times about all the different ways FTP can be encrypted or how it connects in the first place. One thing we haven’t covered is the differences between Active vs Passive for FTP connections and how they relate to ports like the SFTP port and others.

To begin, both Active and Passive will work with ExaVault – the two modes work slightly differently, but they both have full functionality. When FTP was invented, Active mode was the only option. As time went on, Passive mode was added into FTP to accommodate certain needs – we’ll get into that a bit later.

When an FTP connection is initiated, it begins with a control connection. The control connection sets up the parameters of the connection to be initiated – where the passive vs active connection is established, along with a lot of other settings. 

Understanding which ports are in use, for example the SFTP default port or the secure SFTP TCP port, is crucial for troubleshooting and optimizing connections.

When looking at the FTP connection logs, you will see PORT for an active connection, and PASV for a passive connection.

In Passive Mode, the FTP server waits for the FTP client to send it a port and IP address to connect to. In Active mode, the server assigns a port and the IP address will be the same as the FTP client making the request.

In other words, Passive mode lets the client dictate the port used, and active mode lets the server set the port.

Choosing Active vs Passive FTP has to do with firewalls. Firewalls are pieces of software that help secure networks by only allowing traffic on certain ports. If you’re behind a firewall, some ports may be entirely unavailable to you because they are blocked by the firewall.

Let’s say you’re behind a firewall that blocks port 20 for whatever reason. Most commonly, FTP servers use port 20 to transfer data. If it’s up to the server (Active mode) your FTP client is likely to be assigned port 20, which is blocked. You can use Passive mode to get around this — your FTP client can suggest a port for the client and server to use.

Although Active mode is the most used and default mode, Passive mode is helpful in certain situations where you are port limited. If you're looking for a hosted FTP solution that supports both modes and simplifies file sharing, ExaVault offers an easy-to-use, secure platform. And for organizations with growing needs—such as automation, visibility, or audit-ready compliance Files.com provides a scalable next step without disrupting your workflow.

What are the differences between Active vs Passive FTP connections and why do they matter? The control connection and firewalls play a part.

Active vs. Passive Modes for FTP Connections | ExaVault Blog

What are the differences between Active vs Passive FTP connections and why do they matter?

An FTP server is designed to manage and transfer data between systems. Acting as a central hub, the server waits for client devices to connect and issue commands like uploading, downloading, or listing files. It follows a set of instructions known as the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) to carry out those actions.

FTP is one of the oldest and most established protocols for transferring data across networks. Unlike HTTP, which powers websites, FTP supports advanced features like file resume, making it ideal for large or frequent file transfers. Its efficiency and speed remain a key advantage in many technical and enterprise workflows.

How FTP Servers and Clients Work Together

When you connect to an FTP server, you typically do so using an FTP client application. These clients—such as FileZilla, Cyberduck, WinSCP, or Transmit—offer user-friendly interfaces that mask the complexity of the underlying FTP commands. Many support drag-and-drop functionality, folder syncing, and simplified configuration. Behind the scenes, your FTP client translates your actions (like moving or renaming files) into FTP commands that the server understands and processes.

To understand how FTP communication works, let’s simulate what happens during a session by using Telnet to manually issue FTP commands. This demo uses a test server hosted by ExaVault.

The first step is to open a connection to the FTP server on port 21:

> telnet ftptest.exavault.com 21
Trying 67.208.93.232...
Connected to ftptest.exavault.com.
Escape character is '^]'.
220 ProFTPD Server (EV) [67.208.93.232]

The output here shows that the FTP connection has been established, and the server has said hello in a response message with code 220 and a server identifier.

Next, we have to tell the server who we are. We need our username and password. The first step is done via the USER command:

> USER ftptest
331 Password required for ftptest

The server responded with a message including code 331, which means that a password is required to complete authentication. We supply the password using the PASS command:

> PASS [REDACTED]
230 User ftptest logged in

Success! The ftptest user has been logged into the server. Now we can issue commands to the server to work with data. 

Let’s get a list of files in the account. First, we have to open a connection to receive the file and folder list.

Using a hosted FTP service like ExaVault simplifies this entire process. You get fast data transfers, secure infrastructure, and support for all major FTP clients—without the burden of managing your own servers.

For teams with growing file management needs, platforms like Files.com provide an upgrade path. They preserve FTP/SFTP compatibility while layering on features like cloud sync, automation, audit logging, and role-based access controls.

Bottom Line: FTP servers enable fast, efficient file transfers using standardized commands. Whether you’re building technical workflows or simply need a reliable way to exchange data, solutions like ExaVault and Files.com give you flexible options to scale confidently.

> PASV
227 Entering Passive Mode (67,208,93,232,245,123).

Our server tells us that it has opened a connection for us on a port identified by 245,123. Applying the equation from above gives us port 62843.

We need to open a new connection to port 62843 in order to get back data. We do this in another instance of Telnet.

> telnet ftptest.exavault.com 62843
Trying 67.208.93.232...
Connected to ftptest.exavault.com.
Escape character is '^]'.

On the first connection, we run a LIST command:

> LIST
150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for file list
226 Transfer complete

The FTP server tells us that it has completed the transfer, but the data is going to be sent to the other connection. So, switching to the second Telnet instance, we see the list:

drwxrwx---   2 ftptest  10002           0 Jul  1 17:37 .
drwxrwx---   2 ftptest  10002           0 Jul  1 17:37 ..
-rw-rw----   1 ftptest  10002          29 Jun 12 14:59 .fspftpcheck.1591973977
-rw-rw----   1 ftptest  10002          29 Jun 13 01:57 .fspftpcheck.1592013477
-rw-rw----   1 ftptest  10002          29 Jun 13 03:16 .fspftpcheck.1592018214
-rw-rw----   1 ftptest  10002          29 Jun 13 03:27 .fspftpcheck.1592018870
-rw-rw----   1 ftptest  10002          29 Jun 13 05:09 .fspftpcheck.1592024965
-rw-rw----   1 ftptest  10002          29 Jun 13 07:04 .fspftpcheck.1592031888
-rw-rw----   1 ftptest  10002          29 Jun 13 08:31 .fspftpcheck.1592037063
-rw-rw----   1 ftptest  10002          29 Jun 13 08:38 .fspftpcheck.1592037484
-rw-rw----   1 ftptest  10002          29 Jun 13 08:51 .fspftpcheck.1592038283

As you’ve just seen, an FTP server works by taking commands from a client and delivering responses. FTP clients simplify the task of issuing these commands, opening ports when needed, and abstracting complex operations for the user.

Looking for More Than Just FTP? Upgrade to Files.com

While a hosted FTP server gets the job done for basic file transfers, Files.com goes far beyond – offering secure FTP hosting combined with enterprise-grade automation, access controls, and cloud integrations. Compatible with nearly every FTP client, Files.com lets you transfer large volumes of data quickly while modernizing your entire file operations.

An FTP server is a computer program built to handle data transfer between computers. FTP protocol is the commands the FTP server uses to accomplish this.

How Does an FTP Server Work? | ExaVault Blog

An FTP server is a computer program built to handle data transfer between computers.

Is It Just Me? Diagnosing FTP Speed & Connection Problems

When your FTP speed slows down, productivity stalls. Critical files get stuck mid-transfer, delaying clients, coworkers, and deadlines. This guide helps you diagnose FTP speed and connection issues so you can determine whether the problem is on your end, along the network path, or with your provider.

Start by checking the consistency of your pings. A ping is a small packet of data sent to a server to measure response time and packet loss. Consistent response times indicate a stable connection. If ping times vary wildly or show dropped packets, your internet connection may be unstable.

If you’re seeing erratic times or dropped packets, that’s a sign of strain between your machine and the server. However, pings alone don’t reveal where the issue is happening along the internet path.

Below is an example of a ping check to two different endpoints. This output shows what a stable connection looks like—consistent timing and no packet loss. Use similar tests to evaluate your own connection health.

MTR (My TraceRoute) is a command-line tool that traces every step—called a "hop"—between your computer and the FTP server. It reveals exactly where delays or packet loss occur, from your local ISP to intermediary networks.

Running MTR requires installation, but once set up, it provides real-time data on the route to your server. Each hop shows packet loss rates and response times, allowing you to track connection quality across the full path.

If packet loss appears early in the list, it's likely an issue with your ISP. If it shows up near the end, the problem may lie with your hosting provider. Either way, MTR gives you the insight needed to take informed next steps.

Once you’ve reviewed your MTR output, you can start drawing conclusions. Loss that occurs early—typically within the first few hops—points to your internet provider. Loss closer to the destination may indicate trouble with the FTP hosting environment.

This visibility allows for quicker troubleshooting, and if your file transfers are becoming more mission-critical—especially with increasing automation, compliance needs, or globally distributed teams—it might be time to explore more robust tooling. Platforms like Files.com extend standard FTP/SFTP workflows with greater visibility, performance monitoring, and flexible routing, all while staying compatible with the tools you already use.

The Bigger Picture: When It’s Time to Scale Beyond Basic FTP

ExaVault gives you reliable FTP and SFTP access in a lightweight, on-prem package—perfect for teams that need straightforward, secure transfers without cloud complexity.

But as your file transfer needs grow—more volume, more users, more compliance requirements—it may be time to level up.

With built-in automation, cloud storage integrations, and audit-grade visibility, Files.com transforms basic file transfers into enterprise-grade workflows. It’s the same core reliability—supercharged for scalability, governance, and modern collaboration.

ExaVault handles the basics. Files.com handles what’s next.
Choose the platform that grows with your business.

When FTP speed is slow, everything grinds to a halt as you wait for files to get to your clients, or coworkers. Diagnose issues by checking pings and MTR.

Is It Just Me? Diagnosing FTP Speed & Connection Problems | ExaVault Blog

When FTP speed is slow, everything grinds to a halt as you wait for files to get to your clients.

When it comes to transferring files between systems, FTP and SFTP remain two of the most widely used protocols. Though the acronyms are similar, the underlying technologies, security features, and use cases are notably different.

FTP client for fast file transfers. Connect through SFTP for secure file transfer protocol. It's FTP vs SFTP and how to upload and download with hosted FTP.

Better Automation for File Transfer with WinSCP

1. Set Up Logging Early

2. Use SSH Keys Instead of Passwordsi

3. Plan for Script Failures

The Bottom Line

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