FTP 101 – A Mini Series for Modern Devs Using Classic Protocols

 Despite the age of FTP, it's still deeply embedded in many workflows – from backups and batch transfers to legacy integrations and automation. At ftpgrid.com, we’ve launched a **practical tutorial series** to help developers and sysadmins get confident with FTP, FTPS, and SFTP usage – one small topic at a time.


Whether you're managing cronjobs, writing backup scripts, or just want to brush up on those dusty command-line skills, this series is made for you.



The Tutorials


FTP 101 – Active vs. Passive Connections


Why does FTP even have two connection modes? We break down the difference between active and passive FTP, complete with ports, NAT issues, and a simple diagram.


FTP 101 – ASCII vs. Binary Transfer Types


What happens if you upload a `.txt` file in binary mode – or worse, an image in ASCII mode? This tutorial explains transfer modes and when they matter.


FTP 101 – Authentication Is (Still) Insecure


Plain FTP transmits passwords in cleartext. We explain the risks, and why protocols like **SFTP** are now the standard. ftpGrid enforces strong user/password combos, but you should really go SFTP.


FTP 101 – Basic FTP Usage Commands


Learn the classic commands: upload (`put`), download (`get`), list (`ls`), and move around. No fluff, just the essentials.


FTP 101 – Why Many Are Moving Away from Plain FTP


FTP is great for compatibility, but it has real limitations. This piece explains why many devs are choosing SFTP or SCP instead.


FTP 101 – Difference Between `get` and `mget`


Single file or multiple? `get` vs `mget` can be confusing at first. Here’s how to fetch files the smart way.


FTP 101 – Difference Between `put` and `mput`


Want to upload just one file, or dozens? Learn how `put` and `mput` handle uploads – including common mistakes to avoid.


FTP 101 – Navigating with `mkdir` and `cd`


Move around your FTP server and create folders like a pro. This tutorial covers `cd`, `mkdir`, and how to prep the structure before you upload.


FTP 101 – Rename and Remove in FTP


Clean up your remote files with `rename`, `delete`, and `rmdir`. We explain the syntax and caveats when deleting folders.




Why this series?


FTP is not dead – it’s just underappreciated. Whether you’re managing SFTP storage from a Python script, deploying backups from a cronjob, or debugging legacy automation, knowing the tools matters.


At ftpGrid.com, we’re building cloud-hosted FTP/SFTP with **modern features**, including:


  • Simple dashboards
  • Automatic strong credential enforcement  
  • Secure SFTP with SSH key support  
  • FTPS and plain FTP for legacy systems  


…and yes, plenty more tutorials coming soon (including how to use FTP in Python, Go, Bash, and even Cobol ... no no really Cobol!).



Follow the Series


To keep things digestible, each article is tiny and focused. We’ll continue exploring FTP use cases, backups, SFTP integration in code, and more.


Got a use case or language you want covered? Contact us.


Let’s make FTP usable again.


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ftpGrid.com – SFTP, FTPS, and FTP hosting for developers

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