File Transfer Protocol, or FTP, is one way that data can be transferred between computers on a network, normally between a local computer (i.e., the computer directly in front of the user, on which he or she is working) and a remote computer or server. Most FTPing today is done with the aid of FTP programs, software that facilitates and simplifies the process of establishing a connection and tranferring the files between the two computers.
One common FTP program is CuteFTP, which is available for both Windows and Mac as a free download from Bruin Online. Once CuteFTP has been installed on your machine, click the "New" button on its Site Manager (Tools > Site Manager > Display Site Manager) and choose "FTP Site" to create a new FTP connection. You will need to know the network address of the remote computer to which you want to connect to complete this process; when in doubt, contact your network administrator or the network administrator of the remote machine to find out this information. The network administrator will also need to create an FTP user account for you, or give you a preexisting account. CuteFTP also has a very useful, illustrated (sometimes) help interface to teach you how to use the program in more depth, accessible through the "Help" menu.
Last updated November 15, 2005 by jl