FTP VDS

FTP server (File Transfer Protocol) is specialized server for transferring files between computers via internet. Unlike regular browser upload (web interface), FTP ensures reliable large file transfer, parallel multiple file upload, interrupted transfer resumption capability, folder and file access rights management. Main applications: exchanging large files within team or with clients (designers, photographers, video editors), remote server data backup, document and media file archive storage, website content upload (alternative to hosting file manager), software update and release publication for user download. FTP especially useful when web interfaces limit file sizes (usually up to 100-500 MB) or can't handle hundreds of simultaneous files.

These are three file transfer protocols with different security levels. FTP (File Transfer Protocol)—classic unencrypted protocol, transmits data and passwords in clear text, unsafe for confidential information but simple to configure. FTPS (FTP Secure)—FTP with SSL/TLS encryption, protects transmitted data and authentication, compatible with regular FTP clients, uses SSL certificates for server identification. SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)—file transfer protocol through SSH tunnel, fully encrypted by default, uses SSH keys or passwords for authentication, technically unrelated to FTP (different protocols). Recommendations: for public access without confidential data—FTP sufficient. For commercial document transfer, personal data—minimum FTPS. For maximum security—SFTP (preferable in corporate environment).

Many FTP clients exist for different platforms. For Windows: FileZilla (free, popular, supports FTP/FTPS/SFTP), WinSCP (free, supports SFTP/SCP/FTP, PuTTY integration), CuteFTP (paid, advanced features). For macOS: Transmit (paid, beautiful interface, high speed), Cyberduck (free, supports many protocols), FileZilla (cross-platform). For Linux: FileZilla (GUI), lftp (command line, powerful), gFTP (simple GUI client). Web browsers (Chrome, Firefox) also support FTP but with limitations—can browse structure and download files but upload often unavailable. Mobile devices have FTP clients for iOS and Android. Recommend FileZilla for beginners (free, cross-platform, intuitive interface) or WinSCP for Windows users.

Volume depends on file types and usage intensity. For developers and designers: 50-100 GB sufficient for source code, design mockups, documentation. For photographers: 200-500 GB for high-resolution RAW photos (1 photoshoot = 5-20 GB). For video editors: 500 GB - 2 TB for source footage and video projects (1 hour 4K video = 100-300 GB). For backup: volume equal or greater than your critical data plus reserve for multiple backup versions. For public file sharing: 100 GB - 1 TB depending on audience. Recommend starting with small volume and scaling as fills—most providers allow easy disk space increase without data transfer. Also consider disk speed: SSD/NVMe for fast file access, HDD for large volume archival storage (cheaper).

Regular FTP unsafe for confidential information—data and passwords transmitted unencrypted, any traffic interceptor (e.g. on public Wi-Fi) can read contents. For secure transfer use: FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS)—encrypts connection with SSL certificate, protects from eavesdropping, requires certificate configuration on server. SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)—transfer through encrypted SSH tunnel, uses SSH keys for authentication (safer than passwords), recommended for corporate use. Additional security measures: IP address access restriction (whitelist), strong passwords or SSH keys usage, regular password changes, anonymous access disabling, firewall for blocking unauthorized connections, connection log monitoring for suspicious activity detection. For commercial document exchange, personal data, payment information—mandatory use FTPS or SFTP, not regular FTP.