Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!dali.cs.montana.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!aplcen!haven!udel!rochester!pt.cs.cmu.edu!o.gp.cs.cmu.edu!andrew.cmu.edu!eb15+ From: eb15+@andrew.cmu.edu (Edward D. Berger) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga Subject: Re: FTP Message-ID: Date: 19 Sep 90 20:05:24 GMT References: <02532.AA02532@lemsys.UUCP> Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA Lines: 51 In-Reply-To: <02532.AA02532@lemsys.UUCP> Craig Lemon writes: >o How do I ftp? You execute the ftp program on your computer. >o What software do I need? You need TCP/IP software installed on your computer, this is available from many vendors, for many types of hardware. There are also freely distributable versions available for many popular computer systems. >o Do I need a special "connection" (ie phone, data, etc.) Your computer needs a "network interface" connected to a TCP/IP network, which is hopefully part of the Internet, on which all those wonderful FTPsites reside. This can be a static connection, like ethernet always plugged into the network, or it can be dynamic, like a dialup SLIP (Serial Line IP). Yes, you do need a special "connection" otherwise you'll only be able to FTP your own machine/network, which may not be any fun :-( >o Is it free? Somebody, somewhere, pays for the network connection, the software, and the hardware. It may come as a unexpected privlege with your education, job, but it isn't as free as a lifetime supply of air. >o Is it a local Call? TCP/IP isn't really related to telephones per se. It is usually sent over ethernet, token-ring, dedicated data-phone-lines, though access to it may be done via dialing up a SLIP server, that is not the norm. >o How do my files arrive at my machine? They arrive as IP datagrams, at your network interface, and are reassembled into files, by your TCP/IP software. >o Will my home machine be able to FTP? Yes, your home machine will be able to FTP, if it has the appropriate software and network "connection", though most people couldn't afford much more that 9600bps, dialup slip for their network connection. Business may have much higher speed network connections that are always available for mail, etc. >o Much More I can't answer that question.... -Ed Berger eb15@andrew.cmu.edu