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A Newbie's Approach to Ftp Backup

If you have a couple of small files that you wish to backup, perhaps you should consider storing them on an FTP server.

FTP has been around for over twenty years, and ever since its initial creation it has been used for backup purposes.

FTP, which stands for "file transfer protocol" has been used to backup files since its introduction in the year 1985. If you have a free website, or access to a web server, then you have pretty good chances of already having access to an FTP server.

Using FTP as a means for hosting your backup files is only recommended for small files. FTP servers have several regulations that pretty much prohibit users from storing their entire hard drive on the server.

To start out, putting backup files on an FTP server is only recommended for users who are uploading either a very small amount of files, or a large archive of compressed files. FTP is not really useful for users who wish to backup their entire hard drive, mainly because even with a broadband internet connection, it still takes some time to upload the data. Even if you have an ultra fast connection, the FTP server may restrict how much data you can upload, or how big an individual file can be.

Examples of things users can use FTP for to hose backup copies of their files include word documents, digital photographs, presentations, computer software, source code, etc. As mentioned before, it is not recommended for users to use FTP to backup their complete computer system, or operating system.

Remember that in order to use FTP as a means of hosting backup copies of your files, you are going to need a few things.

In order to have FTP as a viable backup option, you will need some particular things. The first is access to an FTP server. If you do not have access to an FTP server, then you can sign up for one of the many free web hosting providers and this problem will be solved. Along with having access to an FTP server, you also need an appropriate software package that allows you to access your FTP server.

This particular type of software is called an FTP client, and literally thousands of freeware and shareware clients are available. To find one, simply goto your favorite search engine, or software store and search for 'ftp client'.

Getting FTP client software is relatively easy, however using the software is a different story. In order for you to have complete success in uploading your backup files, it is highly recommended that you either read the documentation that comes with your FTP client's software, or download an FTP tutorial off of the internet.

Once you have access to an FTP server, and client software that actually allows you to connect to the FTP server, you are ready to go. All you need now is to connect to the server and upload the backup files to the server, so that you will be able to later retrieve the files.

James Fohl is a contributor at Free-backup.info -- the home of the popular tool for windows online backup -- Back2zip. This article can be found at http://free-backup.info/a-newbies-approach-to-ftp-backup-a2.html