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ftp.md

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copyright lastupdated keywords subcollection
years
2017, 2020
2020-05-15
ftp, object storage, cyberduck
cloud-object-storage

{{site.data.keyword.attribute-definition-list}}

Comparing {{site.data.keyword.cos_full_notm}} to FTP

{: #compare-ftp}

The File Transfer Protocol, (FTP) is a popular way to transfer files, but how does it compare to {{site.data.keyword.cos_full}}? {: shortdesc}

{{site.data.keyword.cos_full_notm}} stores encrypted and dispersed data across multiple geographic locations. The information is accessible over popular protocols like HTTPS using a modern RESTful API. FTP, by contrast, requires both a client and a server application and uses an insecure protocol by default. {{site.data.keyword.cos_short}} does all the work of the server FTP daemon (ftpd) and offers more options for security and validation than can be obtained from ftpd or similar services.

How {{site.data.keyword.cos_full_notm}} is similar to FTP

{: #compare-ftp-similarities}

If you've used FTP in the past, you have either worked from the command line or from a client application that uses a GUI. Cyberduck is a popular, open source, and easy-to-use graphical interface for either {{site.data.keyword.cos_full_notm}} or FTP.

Cyberduck provides full operational visibility in connecting to {{site.data.keyword.cos_full_notm}}. Cyberduck is downloaded from cyberduck.io/{: external}. Once you have it installed, you can configure it to connect to your instance of {{site.data.keyword.cos_short}}.

Use Cyberduck to create a connection to {{site.data.keyword.cos_full_notm}}. Then, synchronize a folder of local files to a bucket. After you complete getting started {{site.data.keyword.cos_short}} and obtained your credentials, follow these steps:

  1. Download, install, and start Cyberduck.

  2. When the application opens, you can create a connection to {{site.data.keyword.cos_short}}. Click Open Connection to configure the connection.

  3. A pop-up window opens. From the menu, select the option, Amazon S3. Enter your information into the following fields:

    • Server: enter the appropriate endpoint for your data at {{site.data.keyword.cos_full_notm}}

    Ensure that the endpoint region matches the intended bucket. For more information about endpoints, see Endpoints and storage locations.{: important}

    • Access Key ID generated by selecting the appropriate HMAC option when creating a Service Credential;
    • Secret Access Key also from the HMAC option.
    • Add to Keychain: Save the configuration to the your personal keychain (optional).
    • Ignore the other options like the Anonymous Login checkbox, and SSH Private Key.

  4. Cyberduck takes you to the root of the account where buckets can be created.

    • Right-click within the main pane and select New Folder.

    Cyberduck supports many transfer protocols where Folder is the more common name for a container construct. {: tip}

    • Enter the bucket name and then click Create.

  5. After the bucket is created, double-click the bucket to view it. Within the bucket you can perform various functions such as:

    • Upload files to the bucket
    • List bucket contents
    • Download objects from the bucket
    • Synchronize local files to a bucket
    • Synchronize objects to another bucket
    • Create an archive of a bucket

  6. Right-click within the bucket and select Synchronize. A pop-up window opens where you can browse to the folder that you want to synchronize to the bucket. Select the folder and click Choose.

  7. After you select the folder, a new pop-up window opens. Here, a drop-down menu is available where you select the synchronization operation with the bucket. Three possible synchronize options are available from the menu:

    • Download: This downloads changed and missing objects from the bucket.
    • Upload: This uploads changed and missing files to the bucket.
    • Mirror: This performs both download and upload operations, ensuring that all new and updated files and objects are synchronized between the local folder and the bucket.

How {{site.data.keyword.cos_short}} is different from FTP

{: #compare-ftp-differences}

Technically speaking, there are more differences than similarities between FTP and {{site.data.keyword.cos_short}}. Starting from the convenience of not having to run a server application like ftpd and continuing through the security of using a secure protocol like HTTPS, the list of differences is lengthy and significant.

Next Steps

{: #compare-ftp-next-steps}

Can FTP provide an API or libraries? We think not! Learn more about what is available for developers of {{site.data.keyword.cos_full_notm}}.