File transfer is the transmission of a computer file through a communication channel from one computer system to another. Typically, file transfer is mediated by a communications protocol. In the history of computing, numerous file transfer protocols have been designed for different contexts.

Protocols

A file transfer protocol is a convention that describes how to transfer files between two computing endpoints. As well as the stream of bits from a file stored as a single unit in a file system, some may also send relevant metadata such as the filename, file size and timestamp – and even file-system permissions and file attributes. Some examples: *

FTP The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard communication protocol used for the transfer of computer files from a server to a client on a computer network. FTP is built on a client–server model architecture using separate control and dat ...

is an older cross-platform file transfer protocol *

SSH File Transfer Protocol In computing, the SSH File Transfer Protocol, also known as Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), is a network protocol that provides file access, file transfer, and file management over any reliable data stream. It was designed by the Inte ...

a file transfer protocol secured by the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol * Secure copy (''scp'') is based on the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol * HTTP can support file transfer * BitTorrent, Gnutella and other distributed file transfers systems use peer-to-peer * In Systems Network Architecture, LU 6.2 Connect:Direct and XCOM Data Transport are traditionally used to transfer files * Many instant messaging or LAN messenger systems support the ability to transfer files * Computers may transfer files to peripheral devices such as USB flash drives * Dial-up modems null modem links used XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM and similar

References

Internet terminology Network file transfer protocols {{Compu-network-stub

Protocols

See also

References